He was said to be powerful, the most powerful of them all. A king of kings- a dark king. Complete control. He needed it-thrived on it. He was power, he was dark, and he was beautiful. They say he was a descendant of the first wolves- of shape-shifters so fierce they could kill with barely a glance. He was respected, and revered. Feared. The King of the North. And we were the idiots sneaking into his territory.
"We shouldn't be here." Mae groaned as we crouched lower under the bush just outside the soldier's eyesight.
"Shush." I hissed under my breath and shot her a glare before turning my gaze back on the small squadron jogging pass. They were the border patrol, and with how heightened and trained their sense were- I was surprised they hadn't caught us.
"Do you want to see him or not?" I grumbled when the patrol was far enough out of hearing range.
"Yes, but not at this risk-!"
"This is the only way, Mae. It's not like he's going to pay a peaceful visit to the village anytime soon."
I could feel her nervous, crouched figure
shuffling behind me, but I tried not to take my attention too far away from our situation. I could lie to her all I wanted, but there was no hiding the truth from myself. This was a bad idea. And we were too far into his territory to turn and make a run for it now.
It was almost mid-day, and we would have to wait at least six more hours until nightfall. That was the only chance we had at making it back down the mountain without getting caught.
"We shouldn't have done this." She groaned as I slowly rose from my crouched position behind the leafy bush, the heavy skirts of my dress catching on the sharp twigs. Perhaps I should have stolen some of Leikos's pants for this little adventure.
I glanced carefully over the leafy bush that had provided our much-needed hiding spot, and could just barely make out the tops of his castle over the tree tops.
"Maybe we should just head back, Emrie." The grip Mae had on my sleeve tightened, by I ignored the frightened and stressed tone in her voice. She was right, but that didn't mean I wanted to leave.
"We are so close. I can see his castle." I whispered in something close to awe as I double checked the tiny dirt path before crawling out from under the bush- Mae reluctantly followed behind me.
"We'll head back as soon as the sun sets. I promise." I gave her a small smile that she tried to return, but I could see the fear and worry in her eyes.
"He'll eat the raw flesh from our bones Em!" Mae's tone trembled as she voiced the very thing I was thinking- but hearing it out loud just made me laugh. Out in the air, that idea sounded ridiculous. Not even wolf-bornes could do that, right?
"Yes, and he will also make soup with our blood and liver." I snickered at the horrified look that crossed her face and shook my head. She was too easy sometimes. "Relax Mae, those are just stories. I highly doubt that they're true."
She didn't look convinced, and if anything- she only seemed to be turning greener by the minute. I rolled my eyes and turned back towards the path. She was such a worry wart sometimes.
And yet, even I was beyond nervous.
The King of the North.
That's what they called him. No one knew his true name, but his title alone was enough to make most shiver. Even me, though I tried to hide that fact from the trembling girl a few feet behind me.
I had no doubt that the rumors circling around the King of the North were true, and none of them were pleasant. I honestly didn't know what drove me to suggest our little adventure up the mountain and into his territory- I really didn't. The stories of what he did to simple travelers that stumbled across his land were horrifying enough. I didn't want to think about what he would do to us.
The King and a few of his soldiers had visited the Lower Kingdom a few months ago, and word of his awe-inspiring beauty had reached even the darkest corners of the far North that made up our home. This little trip wasn't an attempt to meet him, or even fawn over him like many of the southern women were said to have done.
We just wanted a glimpse of him. One teeny, tiny, little glimpse of that other-worldly beauty the villagers and townspeople seemed consumed by.
But no one was ever dumb enough to venture into his castle- much less his territory- to find out. Except, you know, for me. And I dragged poor, dear, sweet Mae along with me. I wouldn't let her fool me though- I knew she wanted to see him too. I just could not get that rambling nagging out of my head.
One look. Just one look.
It repeated over and over again in my mind like a dark mantra until it was the only thought taking over my subconscious. I needed to see him, even if it was only one quick glimpse. That should have been enough to satisfy the persistent voice pounding away in my skull.
Mae's death grip held onto the long lapel of my rather thin cloak as her frightened hazel eyes glanced frantically around the forest. I tried to shake off that same fear coursing through her gaze as it crept slowly into my chest.
Just one look, just one.
The small squad of soldiers were nowhere in sight, and I let the soft sounds of the forest slowly calm my racing nerves. I was never one to do something so- so dangerous. Usually Mae and I were in the same boat when it came to keeping our noses out of trouble, but I could not stop this desire inside of me. That inner abyss that made me yearn, tremble, and disregard everything to come here.
One look, just one.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
To outsiders, Aileen was the adopted daughter of the Jefferson family, dismissed and scorned by all. Yet, in the underground racing world, she thrived as the dark rose, savoring the thrill and speed of night races. But her life took a new turn when Derek returned home, leading to a passionate night that diverted Aileen from the Jefferson family's path. Derek, the ruthless heir to the Jefferson legacy, tactfully steered the family's ambitions. Despite his control, he found himself captivated by Aileen-his adopted sister, business partner, and an exceptional racer-drawn to her enigmatic allure.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?