Episode 12
1153 Words
In their private chambers, the king turned to the queen with concern. "She
can't stay here, Merlia. She's human," he said firmly.
"But I like her, my dear. I can't explain it, but I have this feeling that she's
important," the queen replied, her eyes filled with conviction.
The king sighed, "Aren't you worried that Uno might just be using her?"
Merlia hesitated, unable to find the right words. King Julius continued, "We need
to be careful, my Luna. Especially now, with trouble brewing outside the
boundary. We can't afford to make mistakes."
"Just trust me, jukius. I know Hadley won't harm us or the pack," Merlia said,
stepping closer to her husband and embracing him. Her face was sad, but her
touch was gentle.
Julius softened at her touch. "I trust
you, Merlia. I just worry about what the pack will think if they find
out."
"Let her stay. She needs to get stronger, and we can help her heal. She's as weak as
an omega right now, so please, let me help her," Luna pleaded earnestly.
After a moment of silence, the Alpha relented. "Alright, but she can't stay for
long," he conceded, unable to bear seeing his Luna unhappy.
"Really?
Thank you, my dear Alpha!" Merlia’s face lit up with a radiant smile, and Julius couldn't help but smile back. He leaned in and
kissed her gently, putting his worries aside, at least for now.
They had been in the dungeon for several minutes. The cold, damp air clung to their skin as Zenya relentlessly tortured Junifer. He beat him savagely, and Junifer could not fight back.
Junifer was drenched in his own blood and sweat, barely able to stand, while Zenya seemed
unaffected by the violence he was inflicting. The prince didn't care about the
suffering before him; his only thought was to ensure the sun would never shine
again.
Zenya gripped Junifer’s neck tightly, slowly squeezing the life out of
him. "Who told you that you could approach her?" the prince demanded,
his voice icy and controlled.
"Have mercy... Pri-prince," Junifer choked out, struggling to breathe under the
crushing grip.
Mercy? The prince had none. His eyes were cold and unfeeling, showing no sign of
compassion as he continued to strangle Junifer.
Zenya grinned wickedly at Junifer’s futile
struggle.
With a swift motion, he flipped Junifer over, causing a blood-curdling scream as his
left arm snapped. "You deserve to die," the prince growled, his voice
low and menacing. Without warning, Zenya transformed into his wolf form,
digging his claws deep into Junifer’s neck.
Blood spurted and hissed, splattering everywhere. Junifer’s eyes widened in horror, his mouth frozen in a
silent scream. He was dead.
Zenya shifted back to his human form, his clothes torn and bloodied from the
transformation. A soldier approached, handing him a clean set of clothes. The
prince accepted them, wiping the blood from his hands.
"You take care of him," Zenya ordered coldly, turning to leave the dungeon. The
soldiers immediately began to dispose of Junifer’s lifeless body. Just as Zenya was about to
exit, one of the soldiers called out to him.
"Prince..." the soldier said hesitantly.
Zenya stopped and turned to face him, his gaze piercing. The soldier bowed deeply
under the prince's scrutiny.
"I'm sorry, Prince, but... I think you need to know this," the soldier said,
handing Zenya a handkerchief.
Curious, Zenya took the handkerchief, wondering what new development awaited him.
---
Zenya took the handkerchief and sniffed it, immediately recognizing the scent.
"I found that near the door to the jail earlier," the soldier added.
Zenya clenched his fist, anger boiling inside him. He stormed off, determined to
confront whoever was responsible.
When he found his target, he seized her arm without hesitation. "Why the hell
did you do that?" he demanded coldly, glaring at Maria.
Deep down, he wanted to tear her apart. His fury was still burning, especially since
it involved his mate.
"Huh? Did what?" Maria asked innocently, pulling her arm free from his grip.
"Don't play dumb, Maria. Why did you go there?" Zenya pressed, his voice
trembling with barely restrained anger.
"From where? And who are you talking about?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
"Cut the act, Maria. You left your handkerchief outside the dungeon. You meant to
lure Hadley there," Zenya accused, his voice shaking as if he were on fire
with rage.
Maria stared at him, then sighed before speaking, finally dropping the pretense.
"Why do you care so much, Zenya? I'm just making it easier for her to leave the
palace on her own," Maria said defiantly. Zenya shoved her hard against the wall, her eyes
widening in shock as she looked at him.
"You have nothing to do with that problem, Maria. You're just a lady-in-waiting, not
an official," he said sternly.
"My parents are both officials, and we are not happy about Luna's decision,"
she retorted boldly.
"Don't you dare harm her again," Zenya warned, his eyes blazing with anger.
"She's human. You know what happens if the pack finds out about this," Maria
reminded him, her tone challenging.
Zenya took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "If you say that again, I'll
be the one to deal with you," he threatened before turning to leave.
"Why are you protecting her, Zenya?" Maria called after him. He just shook his
head and continued walking, not giving her an answer.
Zenya entered his room and headed straight to the shower, letting the water wash away
his anger and frustration. He heaved a sigh, feeling the tension slowly drain
away.
Zenya felt bewildered and conflicted. "I don't understand myself. I'm so
confused..." he muttered to himself. Moments ago, he had been consumed by
anger towards Hadley. He knew he should have been vigilant, wary that she might
be fabricating stories to remain in the palace as Uno’s spy. Yet, when he witnessed her fear and tears
over Junifer, an unexpected urge to comfort her and persuade her to stay washed
over him.
When Junifer touched his mate, a surge of darkness clouded Zenya’s vision, and without thinking, he flung Junifer
against the wall. The sight of Hadley paling in fear further unnerved him.
Earlier, when he had touched Hadley, a strange electric sensation coursed through him.
It puzzled him deeply, especially since the feeling dissipated when he felt her
cold arm.
Shaken but determined not to show it, Zenya swiftly made his way to his room.
"Perhaps it's because she's human," he mused aloud, trying to make sense of his
conflicting emotions. "The body temperature of an ordinary human differs
from ours as wolves... Our bodies naturally radiate warmth."
He sighed heavily, grappling with the realization. "Yes, she's my mate, but
why am I affected like this? Just because she's my mate doesn't mean she's
destined to be Luna."
Zenya closed his eyes briefly, silently questioning, "Oh Goddess, why a
human?"
- Writer
