Chapter 118
AMARIS
Both my wolf and I smirked with satisfaction as all the Alphas stepped to their right. They knew what was good for them. Those we stood against me wouldnât leave the castle alive.
âWe will stand with you, Your Majesty. We are wolves and we are not anyoneâs slaves.â Alpha Mark, an Alpha I regarded as my friend, bowed his head in submission. The others soon followed, pledging their allegiance. There were a few of them I didnât trust, but I would keep them close.
âGood. Together, we are stronger.â I squeezed Raineâs hand gently, meeting her smiling gaze. She was right. I needed her with me. But she still disobeyed my direct order. I would have to think of a fitting punishment for her.
âMy queen, please see to the Lunas while we discuss our strategy.â I smiled inwardly, seeing the small flicker of defiance in her eyes. She wanted to be a part of the discussion, and I was denying her as part of her punishment. But also, I wanted her to connect with the Lunas as was part of her role as queen. She needed to form her own alliances and, judging by the envious looks she received from the sheâwolves, she had her work cut out for her.
What I planned to do to her in the bedroom as part of her punishment for disobeying me, well⦠that was something else entirely.
âAs my lord wishes,â she said, but her shoulders went rigid and she pulled her hand from my grasp. âLadiesâ¦â
I watched her swing her lovely hips seductively as she walked away, and I wasnât the only one who followed her with lustful eyes.
âThey can look, but she would never belong to them.â Rage growled in my mind. He strutted around, his chest puffed out with pride. He was right. She was ours.
âWell, letâs get down to business.â
After lengthy negotiations and an equally taxing dinner, I finally escaped, only to be summoned by Ross. Raine was meticulously tending to the Alphas and their Lunas, doing everything in her power to ensure their overnight stay was as comfortable as possible, considering the circumstances. The servants couldnât work fast enough to please her. It made me proud to see her fulfilling her role as queen. She had grown into a confident woman, so far removed from the obedient, scared little Omega. But she was still submissive in the bedroom, which I liked very much.
âIâve received word from the Elf King, Your Majesty. He is on board with our attack plan. But there is still the matter of compensation for the battle dwarves. Her Majesty promised them a reward for helping her escape.â Ross filled me in when I joined him in my office. Thank the Gods my technical team had worked diligently to restore our communications. Although the rest of the repairs to the castle would take a much longer time.
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âGive them what they want. You have my authority. With my sincere thanks, of course.â
Fortunately, my office remained mostly unscathed in the attack. The mere thought of my books and documents being destroyed would have infuriated me.
âOf course.â Ross grinned. âThey want a substantial amount of copper and metal. I will see to it at
once.
âAny word from the convoy?â I had left strict orders for them to report back frequently and I found it concerning that they hadnât.
âIâm afraid not, Your Majesty. I havenât been able to reach the coven as well.â Ross frowned slightly. âMaybe Joanna could help us communicate with them.â
As if on cue, Raine burst into my office without knocking. She had a wild look in her eye. Iâve never seen her so upset.
âAmaris, somethingâs wrong!â
Ross stood up to acknowledge her. She barely spared him a glance.
âWhat is it, my love?â She ran straight into my arms, and I tried to calm her down, stroking her back. I felt a shiver run down her spine.
âI think my coven is under attack! I need to leave.â She grasped the lapels of my coat in a white- knuckled grip.
âLeave? No, you cannot!â I held her tighter against me. âNo way in hell Iâm letting you run into
danger.â
âHow do you know theyâre under attack, Your Majesty?â Ross asked. His frown deepened severely.
âI had a vision. Itâs hard to explain. There was fire and I heard screaming. It was horrible! Oh, Goddess! Amaris, you canât stop me. I must help them!â She pulled away, but I held on.
âRaine, let me help. Iâll get warriors andâ¦â
âThereâs no time.â She pushed me away and ran out of the office.
âRaine! Wait!â I bolted after her, with Ross on my heels. âWait! I will come with you.â
âAmaris, you canât leave now!â Ross shouted and grabbed my arm. I pushed him away forcefully, and he collided with the wall. âGet Lord Greyson and the warriors!â I snapped at him.
When I looked back, she was gone. I followed her scent downstairs to the garden, shouting like a madman.
âRaine! Donât you dare do this!â My heart was about to explode in my chest. If she opened a portal, I wouldnât be able to catch up with her.
And sure enough, I saw her standing near the fountain with Joanna and the Pippa girl. How the
Chapter 118
did she get to run this fast in her condition?
âRaine! Wait! Let me come with you.â I sprinted the rest of the way, but it felt like I was running through concrete. What the hell was happening to me?
She turned towards me, her eyes bright with tears. âIâm sorry, Amaris. You must stay for the sake of the kingdora.â The portal opened and the three of them walked through it. It snapped shut behind them, leaving me roaring in outrage and disbelief. Sheâd put a spell on me.
The second they vanished, the spell shattered, and I took out my anger on the fountain, mercilessly pounding it until my hands were raw and bleeding.
Rossâs hand on my shoulder brought me to my senses. âThey will be ready to leave within the hour.ââ
âBy then, it will be too late, Ross.â I sank to the ground next to the rubble, feeling as if my life was in ruins, like everything around me.
SEND GIFT