Episode4
1688 Words
^CHARLOTTE^
By the time we reached the Royal Territory, the sky had already darkened. We’d gotten a late start, leaving much later than we should have, and on top of that, we had to stop several times—once for food, another time for gas, and because apparently, my bladder couldn’t go more than two hours without throwing a tantrum.
The car ride had been… tolerable. Kade and I had sniped at each other more times than I could count, but nothing too bad. Asher only had to threaten us twice, which was honestly a new record. Kat, being the peacemaker, had kept me entertained with random gossip while the guys had grown more serious the closer we got to the castle. They might be my annoying older brother and an insufferable Beta-in-training, but they were still warriors at heart, ready to act the moment duty called.
I had slept for a couple of hours, which helped with my mood. The lack of sleep from the night before had me dangerously close to snapping someone’s head off, and while I didn’t mind making Kade’s life miserable, I figured causing an incident at the King’s castle would be a bit excessive.
Getting into the Royal Territory was an experience in itself. The first gate we reached had armed guards that checked our IDs, patted us down (which I thought was excessive), and searched the entire car. After what felt like an eternity, we were finally let through—only to drive for another ten minutes and reach yet another gate.
The process repeated. More ID checks, more security sweeps. At this point, I was wondering if we were visiting a castle or trying to break into a high-security prison. But finally, after what felt like an obstacle course of endless gates, we reached the final one.
And there it was—Castle Draven.
I sucked in a breath. The castle loomed ahead, a dark and intimidating structure, standing tall like something out of a gothic nightmare. The eerie glow of the moon bathed the ancient stone walls, and a thin veil of mist clung to the ground like an ominous warning. Forests surrounded three sides, and behind the castle stood a massive snow-capped mountain, making it look like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
The gates open, and Asher drove us through the long driveway, circling around a large stone fountain in the center of the courtyard. We barely had time to open the doors before people appeared out of nowhere, helping us out of the vehicle. I barely had a second to process what was happening before someone grabbed my hand and pulled me out.
I mumbled a quick “thanks,” trying not to look too awkward, and glanced around. Our bags were already being pulled from the trunk, and the efficiency with which everything was happening told me one thing—these people did not play around.
And then he arrived.
The man who stepped forward was not the kind of person you ignored. He was tall—ridiculously tall—with broad shoulders and the kind of confidence that said, I can take you down in two seconds flat if I feel like it.
His warm, tanned skin and sharp honey-colored eyes made him look both charming and deadly. His dark blue button-down shirt was rolled up to the elbows, showcasing muscular forearms that could probably snap a tree in half.
I shivered, though whether it was from the cold or his sheer presence, I wasn’t sure.
“Welcome, Moreau Pack,” he greeted, his voice smooth but authoritative. “I’m Royal Gamma Lyta Norwan. It’s a pleasure.”
Asher, ever the responsible one, stepped forward. “The pleasure is all ours. I’m Asher Moreau, here to represent my father, Alpha Vincent Moreau.” He shook hands with Lyta before gesturing to the rest of us. “This is my mate and our witch-in-training, Lilian Clove; our Beta-in-training, Kade Collins; and my sister, Charlotte Moreau.”
I shook Lyta’s hand last, expecting a normal handshake, but instead, he brought my hand to his lips and pressed a light kiss to the back of it.
Oh. Okay. So that’s how they did things here. Noted.
“If you’ll follow me,” Lyta continued smoothly, “I’ll take you on a short tour, then show you to your rooms. You’ll have time to freshen up before dinner, where you’ll be dining with King Arthur tonight.”
My stomach twisted into knots.
I wasn’t ready to meet the King. Not yet. Not like this.
Kade must have noticed my hesitation because he gently pushed me forward. “Come on, princess,” he whispered mockingly. “You don’t want to keep the King waiting.”
I barely resisted the urge to elbow him in the ribs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Walking inside Castle Draven felt like stepping into another world. The grand foyer had polished dark marble floors that reflected the soft glow of a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The walls were made of cold stone, adorned with regal paintings and expensive tapestries.
A grand staircase split into two directions, leading to the upper floors, and between them was a darkened hallway that I was pretty sure led to somewhere I had no business going.
Lyta led us through the castle, explaining the different sections.
“This is the guest floor,” he said as we entered a large, modern kitchen with cobblestone walls and top-tier appliances. “You are free to use this kitchen whenever you like. However, a chef is available to you at any time. You are also welcome to dine with us whenever you please.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Us?”
“The Royal Family.”
Oh. So that was… unexpected.
We continued through the corridors, passing living areas, libraries, and even a ballroom. Lyta explained that the west wing was primarily for royal meetings and events, while the upper floors were strictly reserved for the King and his inner circle.
Finally, we reached our rooms.
One by one, Lyta showed us where we’d be staying. Kade got the first room, then Lily and Asher’s was next. When we reached mine at the end of the hallway, I was not prepared for how luxurious it was.
A massive red canopy bed took up one side of the room, with a black sectional couch in front of a mounted TV. The plush white carpet was soft under my boots, and through a set of double doors, I found an equally impressive bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in stone shower.
Damn.
“This is… insane,” I admitted, still taking it all in.
Lyta smirked. “I assume that means you approve?”
“Oh, absolutely. And it’s just Charlotte, by the way.”
“Then it’s just Lyta.”
I grinned. “Fair enough.”
He left soon after, promising to return in an hour for dinner. I spent the next twenty minutes unpacking when I heard my door open and close behind me.
I sighed, already knowing who it was.
“Kade,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
“You got the best room,” he commented, leaning against the doorframe.
“That’s because I’m the most likeable.”
He smirked. “Debatable.”
I threw a pillow at him.
Before he could fire back, the air in the room changed. A sudden, intense shift.
His laughter was cut off by something unexpected.
A shift in the air.
Something was coming.
The door to my room flew open, slamming against the wall.
And there—standing in the doorway—was him.
I froze.
A man unlike any I had ever seen.
A King.
His presence sucked the air from the room.
Tall. Dark. Devastatingly powerful.
His midnight hair was pushed back, revealing a strong jaw dusted with dark stubble. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, the black of his clothes melting into the shadows.
But it was his eyes that got me.
They glowed molten gold—a sign that his wolf was dangerously close to the surface.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
He took one step inside, and my heart slammed against my ribs.
Kade’s entire body went rigid beside me. I barely noticed.
Because I knew.
My wolf knew.
He was my mate.
The realization hit me like a tidal wave, my wolf howling inside me, clawing to be closer to him, to claim him.
I nearly collapsed under the weight of it.
But then—his gaze snapped to Kade.
And he growled.
The sound was raw, guttural, and filled with an unspoken warning.
Kade tensed beside me, but I barely noticed him. My entire being was wired to this man. Every nerve in my body screamed for him. My wolf howled, desperate to get closer, to mark him, to be his.
Before I could react, he moved.
One second, Kade was standing beside me—the next, he was in the air.
He grabbed him by the throat, lifting him effortlessly. Kade didn’t even fight back. He couldn’t.
The King’s dominance was absolute.
"Do not ever touch her again," King Arthur growled, his voice like thunder.
The sheer power that came from the command left me baring my neck in submission as well. It was something I had never done or experienced before. I was of Alpha blood and wasn’t the least bit submissive but the power he exuded was almost too much to handle. The command wasn’t just spoken—it was felt. It vibrated through my bones, coiling around my very soul.
Then, just as fast as it had started—Kade was dropped.
He stumbled before scrambling out of the room, not daring to look back.
I barely noticed. It seemed I had forgotten how to breathe.
And before I could say Jack, he stepped forward.
His voice, when he spoke, was deep and edged with something dark. Something possessive.
“Mine.”
The moment stretched endlessly between us.
And finally—I spoke the only words that mattered.
"King Arthur..."
- Writer
