5 Chapter Five

Robbin's POV

I'll kill him. That's all I've been thinking about since I left his office. It's how I'll go about doing it that'll make it special. I could escape first and bring a fleet of dragons at his front gate. It's either that or do it while I'm still here.

And although I love the idea of doing the deed myself, I'd have to go up against more werewolves and guards. My body ached at the idea of going through that again.

I let out a sigh and lay my back on the bed; my knees and feet hanging over the edge. When I left Xander's office, the guard that brought me there took me to a bedroom, saying it's mine. There was a set of clothes on the bed and a note telling me to change into them.

Before I was escorted to his office, I was given grey trousers and a white thin shirt. It sure as hell beat wearing a gown, but I'd rather put these clothes on. And now, I laid on the huge bed planning my escape.

Dammit. Sitting in this room isn't helping at all. I get off the bed and head towards the door. Slightly opening it, I glance down the hall and happily discover its vacancy.

I need to know this place, every corner, guard post, and blind-spot before I make my escape. I make my way out of the room and spent a good few hours examining the palace. Every time I'd walk past someone, they would bow, but it usually came with a stare.

Word must've spread that I'm their luna, but I don't care for any of them or that title. Soon, I'll mean nothing to them.

I was near the perimeter of what I found out is one of the training grounds when I went over my findings.

There is a passageway near the west tower that leads to the woods, which happens to be located near a guard posts blind spot. Every so often, two guards would walk by, examining the area. I calculated every time they came and stayed.

If I'm right, I have a two-minute window to run to it. The only problem is the distance. I didn't bother finding out myself. There'd be a high chance of me getting caught. Instead, I walked parallel to the forest, and once I reached a certain distance, used a mathematic method to calculate the area across from my starting point.

It's going to take me exactly four minutes to run across. So either I get extremely lucky and go unnoticed, or I'm fucked.

I decided it was best to leave at night. The only light source was hanging from the guard post, forty feet up. I'm not sure if the light will bounce off the ground, so we'll wait and see on that.

My thoughts were halted when another guard approached me. "Luna, your presence is wanted for dinner.

Food. I haven't eaten since lunch and frankly, that period feels too long for me. But a shower first wouldn't hurt. I was covered in sweat and smelt of the outdoors, although that doesn't seem to be a problem here.

I head back to my room and took a shower. What a change it has gone through. The bath I was in had walls of glass and the water came from above me. I could've taken a bath, but this would be quicker. It felt nice to freshen up by myself and not have a nurse try to wipe you down. I shudder at the memory.

I glance around the shower to find something to wash my body with when I found a black bottle with the label "body wash" on it. I quickly washed with it, noticing it had a strong smell of pines and peppermint.

After finished up, I grabbed a towel and headed back into the room. That's when I realized I didn't have any clothes to wear. I didn't want to wear what I was previously wearing, so I searched for a wardrobe. Luckily, there was a door that led to a room filled with clothing.

Everything looked rather large and masculine for my tast-.

This isn't my room. But how can that be? It's the same one the guard led me to. I looked around the room some more when I noticed smaller clothes. I walked toward them and saw an arrangement of dresses and formal clothes.

Oh gods, please don't tell me I'm sharing a room with my kidnapper. I sigh inwardly and told myself to worry about it later.

After finding a pair of black trousers, a long sleeve shirt, and black slip-on shoes, I went back to the bathroom to braid my now dampened hair. When I was satisfied with my appearance, I made my way out of the room, but I wasn't prepared to run into a wall.

Okay, not a wall. More like a man physically and emotionally built like one. It was him. The man whose head I soon have on a stick.

"Seeing as you know how to dress well, you can meet the pack today." He spoke in a monotone way, almost not caring. At least that's what his words seemed. His eyes, however, held a lot of tension and fire.

I decided to keep quiet as he led me through the palace. Now, I don't know what was more uncomfortable: the awkward silent walk to the dining hall, or the awkward silence that fell when we walked in.

"Everyone." His voice boomed through the room, almost like it was a roar. He grabbed my arm tightly as he spoke again.

"May I present to you, the Bloodmoon pack's new luna, and soon to be the queen of the Northerner kingdom."

Once again, he spoke in a monotone, but that didn't stop everyone from howling and banging on the table.

I, however, remained quiet. Instead, I examined the room. There were at least four hundred people here. The dining hall was so large, I'm surprised everyone heard him. But then again, an alphas roar is always the loudest.

Xander let go of my arm and walked towards a long table on a podium across the room. I was hesitant to follow until a small nudge on my back pushed me forward. I turned to see who it was, and was greeted with a wide smile from Gus.

"This way, luna."

I gave him an irritated stare, and he chuckles. Gus led me to the table, but I didn't sit next to Xander. Instead, I find a seat at the end of the table and was glad the king didn't object to it. Once I was served, I ate my food in silence and was glad no one interrupted me.

"Hello there".

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

I turn to see a girl with long brunette hair take a seat next to me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, luna. I'm Lilliana Hale, one of the trainers at the palace." She gives me a warm smile and gently bows her head.

"It's nice to meet you, but please don't call me luna," I said while turning back to my plate.

"Of course, your grace."

I cock up my eyebrow at her, causing her to laugh at my reaction.

"I'm just kidding. So, what should I call you instead?"

"Robbin is fine."

Lilliana furrows her brow at me, but disregards the expression and returns to her smiling.

"Well then, it's nice to meet you, Robbin." She turns to her plate and starts eating mouthfuls at a time. After a few minutes of stuffing her face, she breaks the silence, yet again.

"How are you enjoying your life here? I heard you're from the Westerlie kingdom."

I don't answer her right away. She brought up home and my mind went elsewhere. It wasn't until she tapped my shoulder that brought me back to her attention.

"Oh, um, yes you're right. I am a Westerlie born citizen."

I can feel this topic becoming awkward, and apparently, so can she.

"How's Xander treating you? We grew up together and I know just how much a pain in the ass he can be."

"He was like this as a child? That must've been hell for his parents."

When more silence was spreading, I look away from my plate to see a sad expression on her face.

"What's wrong?"

She lets out a tired sigh. "Nothing, you're just right. He drove his parents crazy." A small sad smile formed on her face.

"What happened to them?"

"A group of powerful rogues attacked the palace about twelve years ago. His parents were caught in the middle of it and didn't make it."

"Were you close to them as well?"

"Yeah, they were like family. It was hard on me, especially because my parents died that day too."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Lilliana. Losing family is hard on our souls, but you have a very strong one. I can sense it."

She looks at me and her bright smile returns, making one grow on my face too.

"Okay. Enough of this sad talk. Tell me ab-"

"Lilliana." A voice-more like a snarl-interrupted her speech. From behind us.

We turn and see a woman still dressed in training apparel standing behind us. She had medium-long blond hair that was tied in a high ponytail. Her complexion was tan and she had a toned body. She was beautiful, no doubt. However, her only flaw was the reeking stench of bitter poison in her voice, which overpowered the sweat on her body.

Lilliana rolls her eyes and turns to face her. "What is it now sage?" She asked with annoyance peaking in her tone.

"Tomorrow, I'm taking over the morning training session. Yours sucked."

"Hey! No one permitted you to do that!" Lilliana tried to shout at her, but the woman walked away after finishing what she needed to say.

"Ugh, that bitch. She thinks because she's fucking the alpha she can do whatever she wants."

Her eyes grew wide and she turned to me with a deep bow.

"Luna, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have said that."

"It's okay, Lilliana. I don't care for the king's affairs."

"Really? But maybe you should."

"And why is that?" I ask, stabbing the last of my chicken and bringing it to my mouth.

"Sage thought she was going to be the luna." She points to Sage who now walked over to Xander and is standing behind him with her hand on his shoulder.

"As the luna and future queen, you need to put her in her place."

"As I said, I don't care what Xander does in his spare time."

It doesn't matter who Xander is sleeping with. I'm not his mate and not obligated to care. And once I leave this place, he'll see the time wasted on me will be just that. A waste.

Soon after, dinner was over. I stood up and looked for Xander, but he already left. Good. Now that he's out of sight, I'll have a better chance of escaping unnoticed.

I make my way back to my temporary room to change into more active clothing. Slacks and loafers won't do well when I'm running for my life. And when I say making my way, I mean trying to.

When Xander brought me to the dining hall, we took many turns and stairs. I tried to remember as much as I could but ended up getting lost.

Dammit! I swore inwardly. I'm wasting precious time.

I turn the next corner and try my best not to gag.

Xander and Sage, I believe is her name, and deep in an intimate kiss. They don't notice me, not until Sage opens her eyes and breaks their kiss.

"Are you lost? Or do you like watching other people have fun?" A smug smile grew on her face as well on Xander's.

My reaction was one of not caring. I gave them a bored stare and this seemed to anger the blonde harlot.

"What's wrong? Are you too pathetic to say anything?" She spoke as if she was speaking to a child. Kind of an ironic situation, considering I'm over a hundred years older than her. But it makes sense, I suppose. Only a child would speak like a child.

"Are you sure you're not confused? From my point of view, two people acting so coquettish in the middle of this foyer is more pathetic."

Sage grimaced her face and confusion started to spread in her tone. "Co-fetish? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Maybe instead of asking as if this were a harem bar, you should enhance your vocabulary."

"You bitch. Are you calling me stupid? I'm the best fighter in this pack. You seriously wanna go against me?"

Sage made her way towards me, but Xander's handheld her back.

"Don't, Sage." He looked me up and down and I couldn't help but be disgusted. "Look at her. She isn't worth it."

"You're right," Sage retorted, following his eye movements, "Westerlie trash isn't worth my strength."

Sage locked onto his arm and they made their way into a room, laughing at their humorless comments.

Hmm. I think I'll kill that one first.

Luckily for me, Sage is going to keep him busy while I make my escape. I waste no time running around, trying to find my way back to my room.

Wait! This passageway is familiar. Xander and I took it while we were on our way to the dining hall. Perfect! It means I'm almost there.

Wham!

And there goes my lucky streak.

It seems that I've collided with something. Nope. Someone.

We hit the ground with a thud and I struggle to get up first.

"My apologies." I bow my head and turn to keep running when a hand pulls me back.

I turn to see a tall man with dark blonde hair and a muscular physique.

"Can I help you?" There was impatience in my voice. I couldn't help it. My need to get get out of here was suffocating.

"Are you lost, luna?"

My face grimaced at the word but I kept my composure.

"Yes, I can't seem to kind my way back to my bedroom. I believe I share it with the king."

"That damn moron didn't bother to help you back? I should kick his ass."

My eyes widened at his comment. How can he say that about his king?

"Have you no respect for your king?"

"Oh, I have plenty. But Xander can be a bit of a hardass."

"Hmm, so I've heard."

"Forgive me, luna. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alexander Qullem, royal advisor to the crown, but you may call me Alec."

"Qullem? As in House Qullem? Was your grandfather David Qullem?"

My question seemed to have piqued his interest. "Yes, he was. How did you know that?"

"I knew him when I was a kid."

"Oh yeah, Xander mentioned something about that."

"I guess he added that I was insane as well."

"Not insane, luna. You're not that."

I couldn't help but smile at him. He's the only person in this hellhole who doesn't think I'm crazy, or maybe he does but thinks I've heard enough of it.

But the way he spoke was so matter-of-factly, it made me believe him.

"Well, then my lord, would you care to show me to my quarters? I want nothing more than to change out of this attire."

"Why? Are you planning on wearing something more comfortable when you escape?"

My expression didn't change, but my eyes narrowed enough to make him smirk.

"Tell me, Robbin, right?" I give him a small nod and he continues. "You didn't think you we going to be able to wander the palace unsupervised, did you?"

"I figured I deserved some time alone since I was chained to a bed rail for two weeks."

"Yes, because you attacked palace guards and escaped your cell."

"A cell I didn't deserve to be in."

"Our apologies, luna."

"Stop calling me that!"

He gave me a soft smile before motioning to a room. We were in the middle of a hallway and I figured he didn't want unwanted attention, which is something we can both agree on.

The room was a small board meeting room but we sat on the sofa near the windows than at the desk.

"Robbin, you should know that there's a war going on. Rogues are trying to attack the palace and overthrow Xander. If they see anyone leaving the palace unattended, they'll attack. And once they find out you're to be our luna, they'll hold you hostage and my even kill you."

I sigh in defeat and lean back into the seat. "I suppose you're right. I can't die right now."

"Promise me you won't try to leave. You may not realize it, but you're important to us. We need a strong ruler, and Xander needs a wall of protection."

"How do you mean?"

"You're special to him. He needs a healthy balance of light in his life. And you Robbin, are that light."

"I highly doubt a man who spends his time with harlots is someone who needs light. He's too far in the darkness to see the light."

"Maybe, but he's strong, just like you. He'll find his way, just give him time."

I don't know how long we sat there, but we must've talked for hours. We discussed the kingdoms, new rulers, and this modern technology, which has me a bit skeptical.

When he explained what 'cars' are, I just about lost my mind.

But the way we talked felt, familiar. I guess he's more like his grandfather than he knows.

Time went by so fast, I hadn't realized we fell asleep.

Only did I know of our slumber was when a roar erupted through the room, and only one man roared like that.