The Wolf King's Nine-Life Queen

Chapter 1 — The Bedsheet Rope

perfect. This is strong. It can hold my weight while I climb down from this storey. I'll be long gone before anyone realises I'm missing.

King Lycan and those ugly maids can prepare for King Oberyn all they want. I want freedom. And today is the perfect day. Everyone is too distracted to notice me.

“To freedom,” I whispered, gripping the bedsheet rope as I lowered myself down.

Hmmm-hmm-hmmm.

Please, please, please. Not today. Don't tear.

The sheet stretched beneath my weight. I swung towards the wall, my heart practically jumping out of my chest.

Then a shadow passed over me.

I looked up. A low breed wolf

A fire wolf with flaming wings swooped toward me.

He caught me before I could splatter on the floor. I'd revived in a few minutes. Then everyone would know my secret.

That I was the last surviving Cath Clan member.

“Put me down, you ugly creature!” I shouted, hitting his stomach.

His body radiated so much heat that I pulled my hand back.

“Grrr…”

“Please put me down. I promise I won't hit you again.”

He flew straight into the hall and tossed me onto the floor like a sack of potatoes.

I groaned, rubbing my backside.

The flames around his body settled as he approached me.

Jon. King Oberyn's right-hand man.

My luck was getting worse by the second.

“What did you steal?”

“I didn't steal anything.” I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

“You're a liar.”

“Lyra.”

King Lycan's voice cut through the hall.

Jon immediately stepped aside. “Your Majesty,” he said, lowering his head.

King Lycan descended the steps, his expression dark.

Jon glanced at him, then at me.

“Is this how you welcome my King? If a thief can sneak into your palace, how can you guarantee his safety under your roof?”

He shoved me forward. I fell on my knees.

Was he seriously using my escape attempt to insult the king?

“Please, Your Majesty. I wasn't trying to steal anything. I only wanted to leave.”

“Leave?” Lycan stopped in front of me. “I own your life. Your master sold you to me.”

“Please, Your Majesty. I've served you for three years. Just let me go.”

“You ungrateful wench.” He caught my chin, forcing me to look at him. “I clothe you. I feed you. I give you a roof over your head, and you still have the audacity to demand freedom?”

My eyes burned.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“I will show you no mercy. I warned you last time. Guards! Take her to the execution room. Let this serve as a lesson to anyone who dares disobey me.”

The hall went silent.

The weight of my chains dragged my hands towards the floor. I pressed my forehead against the cold tiles.

“Please, Your Majesty. I won't do it again. Please forgive me.”

If they discovered I had nine lives, they wouldn't simply execute me. They would sell my heart to the highest bidder. A Cath Clan heart could restore life and strength.

I couldn't let that happen.

“Have mercy, Your Majesty.”

His boot struck my face.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe. Then the trumpets sounded.

The doors swung open.

“King Oberyn of the Northern Territory!”

Everyone bowed.

I struggled to lift my head.

A man dressed in black stood in the doorway, his dark hair falling slightly over his forehead. He looked younger than I'd expected, but the way everyone moved aside for him made my stomach tighten.

King Oberyn.

“I demand to know what's happening here!”

His gaze settled on me.

“I caught her trying to flee through the window,” Lycan explained. “She's fortunate she didn't fall.”

“I didn't ask you.”

Lycan immediately lowered his head.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Oberyn approached me. He leaned closer, drawing in a slow breath as if trying to catch my scent.

“What's your name?”

“Lyra.” I tried to look up, but my vision was blurred.

“To what use will my name be of anyways? I was getting executed.” I murmured.

“Unchain her. She's coming with me.”

Lycan's expression changed.

“Oberyn, she's disobedient and insolent. She has no special abilities or manners. Her life would be useless to you.”

“I could use her hands.” Oberyn straightened. “Don't question my authority.”

Lycan hesitated before turning to the guards.

“You heard him. Unchain her.”

The chains fell from my wrists.

“Your Majesty, please don't let him take me.” I stumbled towards Lycan, my legs barely holding me up. “I'll be good. I won't try to escape again.”

I'd heard stories about King Oberyn. He was ruthless, and nobody questioned his authority. Escaping him would be even harder. His senses were said to be so sharp that he could detect the slightest movement and energy.

I hated that he could see my trembling hands. I hated that everyone was watching me beg.

“You should be happy,” Lycan said.

Happy?

I was being taken somewhere worse, or somewhere I might finally survive. I couldn't tell which.

My eyes had dried from crying. I couldn't feel anything anymore.

“You're coming with me,” Oberyn said.

I looked up at him, my heart pounding.

“D…o I have a choice?”

His eyes held mine.

“No.”

He leaned down beside my ear.

“One last thing, Lyra.”

I looked at him warily.

“If you try to escape from me, I'll be the one who catches you.”