“If you must die then you will only die for me, by my own hands. That would be your punishment for daring to deceive me” the cold words were easily left his mouth. The King couldn’t believe she was the one all along, his Queen. Never suspected the evil in the palace to be the woman he’s come to love, who now looks at him with both resentment and hatred. Not feeling remorseful, she looked him straight in the eye and jumped off the cliff, choosing to forsake her life than to be with him. Verona had indeed fulfilled her revenge. *** Her name is Verona Poshell, a lowly Omega who used to be married and mated to Alpha Omar Grendel, a warden in charge of her region. One fateful night her world comes crashing down by the claws of five unknown Lycan wolves who ended up killing her mate and shattering the only love she ever knew. While at it they mentioned a name, the name of the wolf King. And now she was on a mission to evoke vengeance on Alpha King Razhal and all those who had a hand in the murder. Verona would go on to make a pact with the infamous Mudine serpents, a dangerous sect of snakes that had been banned from the shifter world owing to a great disloyalty. In other to be accepted by them she gets rid of her weak wolf and becomes turned into a snake. Together with the three serpents, they are able to slither into the Castle rock palace and thus impersonate the new Luna/Queen, Melima, whom she bears a slight resemblance to. She cover up her tracks she kills the young girl and assumes position as Queen. But their supposed plans take a wrong turn when her heart begins to beat abnormally for the one who she must eliminate, thereby causing her to hesitate. The more she digs deep into the King and the palace of Castle rock, it becomes obvious that things were not as they appeared. Razhal was a wolf who thrives in chaos and war but that wasn’t all there was to him. The cruel King may very well indeed care about his subjects and the kingdom, while her late husband may have been a part of something dark and dangerous, so dreadful that it could destroy the entire shifter realm. Verona Poshell comes to realize that so many things were far more important than her hunger for revenge. She too must also confront some deep aspects of herself, since her own life might also have been a lie. How long would the fake Queen keep up with the deceit while trying to survive in the palace, especially when Razhal is hell-bent on finding her out; the man who also turned out to be her soul mate.
/Flashback: immediately after the courtyard scene/
The Lycan giant acted composed as he marched right back into his office. In fact he wore the façade like a second skin; head high up and proud with muscles pulsing with blood and pressure. But still, he held it in.
Razhal got into his office and the front shattered. The large brown mahogany desk at the center of the room was sent flying to the other end of the wall along with all the contents on it. Then he stilled to take in air.
This wasn't him, not at all. It was Zeus throwing a tantrum for a reason which he had a slight idea about. The scene they had just left was gory and gut wrenching but that wasn't the reason for the beast's reaction.
It was the girl, Melima.
The look in her eyes wasn't one of fear or anger, it was pure disgust. His wife found him disgusting. A realization that didn't bother him but certainly did Zeus as the poor desk had now paid for it.
Being called names and even feared had never been his concern. He wasn't thirsty for people's likeness or acceptance, they could burn with it. As long as they did as he commanded he was quite willing to accommodate their hate or else he won't hesitate to send them to the woman in the moon.
Zeus has always been on the same page or even worse than him, but ever since that northern woman came here the wolf has been off his senses. Razhal knew the wolf was beginning to harbor some strange affection for the cursed woman and the mere thought of it was getting his blood heated.
She was unworthy of him; his body, his time, his affection and his respect. Of course the weakness called love was out of the question entirely, would rather bite his own tongue than give his heart away on a silver platter.
Although she may not be deserving of everything else, but the thought of bedding her he found pleasing. He realized it was within his rights to do as he wanted with her no matter his resentment. Melima was beddable and his cock agrees.
He had barely managed to put a leash on the beast when his nose smelt a presence sitting on the window plane. By the scent he already knew who it was.
"My King" the fellow gave a head bow.
Razhal didn't respond and rather walked to the shelf that held his collection of alcohol. Picking up a pot closest to him he downed all the contents in one gulp.
"You should take it easy on---"
The speaker was startled to see something fly past his face and out of the window. It had been very close to touching him, a minor tilt in position could have had the pot slamming on his face.
"Shut your mangled mouth Daemon" the order was spoken calmly and the words were pronounced one after the other.
The buzz cut Lycan by the windows saw the need to do as he had said. It was obvious Razhal wasn't in any mood for jokes, or rather Zeus…judging by the flickering eye color.
Once the storm had passed the King turned towards the guest.
"Where the hell is Feibond?"
"Oh I guess I'm allowed to speak now…" he blurted out with a mischievous smile, but when the look on the other's face didn't change he straightened up. "Well, he said he was taking a detour. Something along the lines of investigating the serpent rumor. Don't fault me…i highlighted the importance of keeping to commands but he let me know you would indeed understand"
The king threw his head back letting his black curls fall on his shoulders. His eyes were shut for a second and when it opened up again there was no more trace of Zeus. Razhal was now completely in control.
"Hezine told me of something buried at the borders…heard about it?"
At his question Daemon folded his arms on his chest and made to think. "Yes he did say but I was pressed for time so I didn't ask. But if my suspicion is right, then it must be the first Gangus...?"
The king gave a lopsided smile as he turned to the man. "So it was the coordinates all along, no falsehood…?"
"I can bet my balls on it. The fun is truly about to begin, your highness" the Lycan laughed excitedly and Razhal completely felt the same.
Hiroshae Notto would have to give up his resurrection and choose reincarnation instead. He was prepared to keep the fool away from this lifetime, whatever it would cost him.
"But something keeps troubling me. How is it that the dog's omega had still not been sighted, seemingly vanished from existence. I took it upon myself to even go as far as combing the human habitation but all I got was futility and unsavory sex. Doesn't it worry you hmm?"
The Lycan on low cut was genuinely curious but was also unaware of the way his question had twisted Razhal's guts. He didn't know of the pain that immediately assaulted his chest; Daemon knew not of the reason why he shouldn't mention those two anywhere near him.
"She will turn up…or not. But if she eventually does…then her neck would meet my claws." He seemed serious when he said it and the other man knew not to probe.
"And what do we do about the message they left us this noon? Any idea who it could be?" Daemon changed the subject as swiftly as possible and it did the trick because Razhal chuckled albeit darkly.
"I have tons of enemies. It's only fair they all make attempts to feel me up. Although…the children were stillborn but nonetheless they are fast copying my temperament."
"You think it's them?"
"Who knows Daemon…maybe it's them or maybe another group I wouldn't know and neither shall I let it worry me. If they have what it takes then they would do well to step out of the shadows and challenge me straight on, but for me to entertain cowards…heavens forbid"
The King wore his common clothes and covered half of his face with a mask, which clearly tells he was heading into town. "I need to check something. If Feibond arrives, have him wait for me" and soon he was out the door.
Choosing to remain inconspicuous Razhal left the royal courtyard and using darkened corners he was able to go past the gates without drawing attention. He walked into the vast general courtyard and there he came upon a small crowd. They seem to be pulling at something.
At first he continued in his path not minding whatever they were up to but then he heard that woman's voice, the one who was supposed to be his wife. It was then he realized they weren't pulling at something but rather someone.
But surprisingly he didn't immediately go to help her, he instead waited to see her reaction. He wanted to see what she would do, how she would manage to get out of such situation. But soon enough he began to feel annoyance, most especially when his eyes caught a glimpse of her slender legs uncovered. Then it dawned on him she wasn't wearing anything beneath the flimsy coat.
"What a stupid woman" were the words that left his lips as he strode towards the crowd. Only two words were enough to have everyone scampering off. Razhal completely deserted the general courtyard all within the space of two minutes. They all rushed past the gates and into the free-folks town, and would remain there until he says otherwise.
The King had wanted to berate her immediately but when he heard her sobbing quietly he couldn't help but to hold back his tongue. Pushing the mask away from his face, Razhal crouched to her level to look into her eyes. She too was doing the same and for a moment he caught a flicker of something within those green eyes. It was small but enough to confuse him.
"I knew there would never be a dull moment with you around" he had to say this to somehow put a halt on the connection but it still remained unchanged.
If that was what he thought it to be then she was about to make the greatest mistake of her life. Holding any bit of affection for him would only ruin her. It was best she clings onto her hate because that would become her only security against him. Razhal knew this, but yet a tiny part of him held hope.
Even starring down at her lips was beginning to test his self-control and also his libido.