2 The Black Wolf

Eventually the blonde girl looked around the stadium after realizing how the silence was heavy. She was as shocked as the citizens to be alive still, but a part of her realized she was safe around this beautiful wolf.

"Do you think I will be burned at the stake now?" She asked the wolf who seemed to be enjoying his time with the human girl.

Breathing out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, the girl looked toward the emperor and saw rage. The fire in his eyes nearly matched his red hair.

Standing up with anger, the emperor walked into the stadium toward the woman. Reaching into his red cloak, the man pulled out a knife looking at her with a murderous rage.

"This was a sacrifice to the Gods so our nation could prosper you little whore! What have you done to save yourself?! WITCHCRAFT?!" His voice boomed because of his amplifier ruby necklace around his neck. People in the area begin to murmur and whisper.

Horror filled her eyes as she realized this was worse than being eaten by the black wolf. She had respect for the being, but this man approaching her was an absolute monster!

But then a slow terrifying growl escaped the black wolf as he stood between the emperor and the girl.

The emperors eyes widened with shock, but filled with rage very quickly.

"Step away you stupid mutt!" He spat. But the wolf didn't move. He watched the emperor intently and seemed to demand respect.

The girl hid behind the black beauty waiting for something to happen. Her breathing was unsteady and her eyes were filled with tears. She glanced around the area noticing human body parts ripped apart. The other wolves had retreated back to the gate except for her friendly pet.

"What the hell is wrong with you Ryder?" Came the low voice of the king. He spoke so quietly that the girl almost didn't hear it.

Glancing at the black wolf, she realized his name.

Ryder.

The emperor shook his head putting the dagger to the side of his body. He looked around as the area had grown quite loud due to people talking.

Immediately silence filled the air. He then looked at the girl, but this time, his expression was cold showing no emotions. Sighing he started to laugh with malice.

"What to do with you… what to do…" he whispered watching the girl.

The girl didn't break eye contact with the emperor and tried to keep her body still. But her body betrayed her as it continued to shake due to fear of the unknown.

She had no idea why she wasn't killed, but she certainly wasn't a witch!

"Since Ryder has staked claim to her, I expect her to belong to me now?" Came a deep husky voice behind the emperor.

The girl broke eye contact looking to see a tall handsome black hair man approaching.

Looking like the devil himself, the man was bigger in size compared to the emperor and had a strong sense of power and dominance. Scars traced down both is arms and across his left eye. But even with those marks, he was easily the most enticing person anyone could ever meet.

"There needed to be fifty women to sacrifice for the Gods Titus. It is unbalanced without it." Came the reply from the emperor.

The black hair man kept his gaze on the blonde girl calling for a guard to bring a servant girl to the stadium.

Immediately a short older woman was dragged into the area in front of the emperor and his son.

The blonde girl watched as the servant girl was thrown in front of the prince who didn't even spare her a glance as he continued to stare at the green eyed beauty.

"Ryder, kill her." Came the princes command.

There was no emotion and as the blonde woman realized what he said, the black wolf had already attacked the elderly woman in one strike.

Her eye contact broke from the prince as she saw the dead woman bleeding. Ryder had charged for her throat making her an easy kill.

Terror filled her eyes as she slowly lifted them looking at the devil.

"Now there's balance. Am I correct Father?" Came a question the prince formed while never looking away from her.

"You can't just force things to work in your favor son." The emperor sighed.

"Is that not what you do?"

The emperor smirked and simply laughed. "You my boy can keep the girl since you did technically provide the fiftieth sacrifice. But be weary, you wouldn't want to offend the gods."

"The sacrifice has been completed. Ryder was the only wolf to not strike till now. He didn't seem her worthy for that and has decided to stake his claim on her in a different way. She belongs to me."

The prince still had his eyes locked with the girl while the emperor slightly nodded.

"Very well my son." The emperor again sighed seeming to agree with the prince. Out of all his sons, Titus was very logical and persuasive.

The emperor then faced the crowd using the amplifier, "It seems my son and the wolf have taken a liking toward this slave, so a different one was selected and was also accepted. Although today was a different circumstance then what would usually happen, what matters is that the Gods will be happy with the sacrifice we offered!"

Forced claps filled the stadium, but the citizens were reluctant. They feared that the emperor would be angry without their applause, but they still were shocked by the turn of events. She looked around confused as the crowd because she may not have died, but the emperor just announced her as property to the man.

The emperor announced moving onto the next events leaving the prince and the girl alone with the black wolf.

Slowly turning her neck, she eventually looked into the devils beautiful dark brown eyes.

"Name."

It wasn't a question but a command.

Flinching and trying to remember how to speak, the girl opened her mouth.

"Amelia." Pausing for a moment feeling the area silent again, she then bowed her head giving him respect. "Your highness."

"Stand and follow me." Came a harsh command.

Peering up, Amelia noticed the man walking slowly. Quickly standing up, she followed behind him matching his pace.

Ryder walked next to Amelia as if he was trying to comfort her. He continued to nudge toward her trying to remind her he was there.

Keeping her eyes down, Amelia was still able to notice eyes watching her. Some were filled with curiosity while others filled with hatred.

What had happen today almost looked like the sacrifice was ruined because of the green eyed woman. And many were not happy with the turn of events even though there were fifty who perished in the stadium.