The Luna of his Dreams

The Lycan King

Ruslan was every bit of seven feet tall, he was slim with a pretty boy type of face. No beard or even scruff and perfect golden hair. Arch was right about his aging, he looked even younger maybe. He was sitting on a black leather throne with gold nail studs lining the back and arms. There was a crest above him on the wall, two wolves sitting on either side of Luna - the moon goddess, she was holding up a crown shaped like the crescent moon.

Behind the self proclaimed King was Astoria Rockland and two other lycan women.

“Alpha Leander of the Raven Moon Pack.” Said the King seeing his old friends son in the crowd.

“Yes your majesty—“ He considered correcting the Lycan King, but wasn’t sure if he’d see it as disrespect.

“Your resemblance to your father is amazing, no one could deny your parentage.” The King seemed amused. He was smiling wide putting all his sharp teeth out for show.

“Yes, I am often told I look a lot like him.”

“How is the old man doing?” The King was leaning forward in his chair now, his whole demeanor went from serious and rigid to playful at just the thought of his old friend.

“He and my Mother have retired to a beach house in Canta Beso.” Arch wondered if this was normal behavior for the King, ignoring over two hundred guests to catch up on just one man.

“Wonderful and your sister Lorelei? Is she here tonight?” The King’s eyes seemed to swoop over the crowd for just a mere second.

“No, she was preoccupied.”

King Ruslan’s face showed his disappointment.

“Is she not single then, I have not been made aware of any marriage proposals?”

“No, no— She’s single, um, it’s a personal matter.”

“I see-“ The King scratched his chin and looked down into Arch’s eyes. It was clear he wanted to know more.

“Alistair!” King Ruslan yelled suddenly.

“Yes, my King!” Answered a man standing near a door to the King’s right.

“I need to change for dinner! Start the music!” He ordered loud enough that every single attendant heard him well.

The King rose and waved towards Arch as if he wanted him to follow.

Arch did not understand what was happening the King was leaving just when everyone had arrived? An orchestra began to play and the crowd dispersed into couples. Servers were bringing out wine and some type of hors d'oeuvres, looked like caviar. A disgusting dish.

“Sir, the King wishes to talk privately with you in his office.” Said a server as he pointed towards the door the King had left through.

Arch wearily walked towards the door, he did not want to spend the whole night reminiscing about his fathers glory days with this Lycan King. Through the door was a long hallway. He looked back to see if the server was coming but it not seem he was. The hallway was empty. Shrugging it off he decided to walk down the hall.

All of the doors were shut, how was he supposed to know where the King went?

At the end of the hallway was a spiral staircase going down. He thought maybe he’d gone too far, but he could hear a loud voice echoing from the stairwell. He walked down the stairs slowly wondering if he should’ve gone back and asked for directions.

In front of him was some type of security room, there were dozens of screens each following different people at the party. Each screen seemed to follow one specific person following their every step. The King was watching along with another man.

“Alpha?” Hollered the man who was standing next to the King when he turned around.

The King turned in surprise and clapped his hands.

“Alistair you were supposed to have the young Alpha waiting in my study.” He grumbled obviously annoyed.

“Sorry my King.” The dark haired man said watching Arch.

“No one said which way to go so I followed the hall here.” Said Arch to sort of explain.

“Come, follow me to my study, Alpha Leander.” The King again waved as he walked through a door. “Alistair bring beer!”

This time Arch followed without hesitation, but he was stunned at what he saw. He stopped at the entrance and stared down the cells that lined the walls. Dozens of sleeping animals, wolves, bears, foxes, there was even a tiger! It was odd, they were perfectly still, not a twitch, but it was clear that they were all still breathing. This wasn’t natural it was the work of a wizard. He started walking when he noticed the King look back, this wasn’t on purpose. Was the King testing him? These were not just ordinary animals, they were all supernatural. Weretigers were extremely rare, Arch had never even seen one, only stories heard from his father.

He hurried through the odd room and followed the king into another hall before going up a staircase that entered directly into a study with four walls covered in books. Not books on shelves either, that would’ve been normal, no these books were nailed open to the walls..

“Sit!” Said the King loudly. He was already sitting at his large metal desk. It was painted black and bolted to the floor. Odd just like everything else in this old castle.

“Beer!” He bellowed and slammed his fist on the desk. There was a small imprint on the desk of his fist, seemed the king did that a lot.

With in seconds a server brought in two mugs of beer. He gave one to the king first and the other to him.

“Thank you.” He nodded. The drink was sweet and cold. Not what he expected, but it was good..

“We make this here, it’s an ancient recipe.” Said the King after guzzling his entire beer.

“It’s good.” Replied Arch wondering if this Lycan was out of his mind.

“So..” The King said stoping and watching the Alpha.

Arch just watched the King silently then decided he did not want pulled into whatever the Lycan was doing.

“If you want me to know just tell me, if not, then pretend I did not see it.”

The King grinned so big his smile nearly enveloped his face.

“I knew I’d like you, you’re just like your old man.” He slammed his fist down again and a server immediately brought in another sweet beer.

“Is that why I’m here then? To catch you up on my old man.” Asked Alpha Arch hoping to return to the party. He had not even gotten to look around, although if his was up there surely they’d get each other’s presence. Maybe not though it was a big room and their scents could easily be drowned out by all the guests.

“Of course not, I’m just helping my fellow Alpha’s catch their mates.” He said after finishing off his second mug.

“I did not know the Lycan King cared?”

“Careful little wolf, I am the King, I care about all of my subjects.

Alpha Arch stared hard at the empty mug to not show his disbelief. This Lycan King did not care about the werewolves finding their mates? What was this game?

“Ah, perhaps we should go back to the party.” Said the King standing up. “But one last thing..”

“Yes?” Asked Arch after too long a silence.

“I’m aware you found two abandoned children on your land.” He said his eyes becoming gold.

Arch stood up in case this turned into a fight, he took a step back to assess the King. He was not in a stance as if he wanted a fight, but his eyes told he was angry suddenly at just the mention.

“What of it?” Glared Arch knowing full well his tone alone could end his life.

“Are they well?” Asked the King dismissing the Alpha’s aggressive question.

“As well as they can be without their Mother.”

The Kings eyes glowed even brighter, perhaps he should not dare him another second.

“My sister has taken them as her own, that is why she could not attend.”

The Kings eyes lowered for a second he seemed sad. Then he turned to stare out a window.

“I see. They are in good care then, please enjoy the rest of your evening Arch of the Raven Moon Pack.”

Arch was stunned, the King was a strange man. He repeated called him by his proper name until now. He has a room full of supernatural beings and he knows something about the young woman that died.

He walked quickly to the party and then outside onto a balcony, he needed some air.

What did the Lycan King have to do with the woman? She wasn’t a Lycan? He would’ve sensed it!