Damien’s POV
Enraged wasn’t the right word to describe how I felt stumbling across
the scene where Freda was disrespected and woefully treated under
my roof. I would have killed the wolf if Freda hadn’t been there.
Nobody deserved to cause Freda pain and live to see another sunrise,
regardless of who they might be.
Convincing Freda to see the rest of her family wasn’t much of a
problem. Thankfully. As we made our way to the meeting room, her
hands shook, and I knew she was greatly bothered about meeting the
rest of her family. I spun her around so she was facing me.
“Nobody will hurt you as long as I’m standing next to you. Not even a
hair on your head shall be disrespected today.”
I made sure she understood every word was true. She gave me a quick
nod as we continued to the meeting room.
Various wary eyes stared at me the moment the doors opened. They
were on edge more like they were scared, being watchful as I passed
by them, heading toward the throne. I made sure my eyes never left
Freda as she walked beside me, never once faltering in her footsteps.
She was queen material, and it made me happy how well she
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concealed her agitation from earlier.
Without taking a seat, I turned to face the large crowd. I had no idea
who any of them were except one–Winston, Freda’s father.
“Welcome, once again, to Valthrum. I know your last visit here wasn’t pleasant, but I’m grateful you’ve graced us with your presence despite that.” I scanned the room for signs of disapproval. There were
murmurs, but nobody said anything out loud, which seemed fitting.
“As you all know, you’ve been gathered here for meetings concerning my coronation ceremony. This is very important because it joins the
two kingdoms together. I shall be claiming my mate and making her
queen to rule beside me. You all know Freda, daughter to Alpha
Winston.”
“There’s no final decision on that fact, so don’t be too eager to say
you’re joining the two kingdoms together. We already told your father
we shall never bow to the vampires!” Winston said.
I snickered. I guessed he hadn’t told his people how easily he’d been subdued. Next to me, these werewolves were powerless, and I could easily finish them off in battle. But this was no battleground, so I had to remain patient,
“Please, let us not continue the rift my father started. He wasn’t a
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nice man-”
“You’re a murderer just like him. Don’t pretend to be a savior. You
aren’t.” Someone from the crowd said.
I turned directly to look at the person. A cold sweat broke out on his.
face, and I smiled.
“I never tried to be something I wasn’t, but killing you werewolves or
threatening you isn’t on my agenda.”
“Not yet,” somebody said rather faintly, but I caught it.
The werewolves were a very unreasonable species. It was no wonder I
never got involved with them in the first place.
“The ceremony approaches faster than we expected. We need all
hands to make this a success. I know many of you still don’t agree to
this union, but-”
“There’s no way we shall agree to this union, not after what you did to
my brother and his daughter!”
A bald, short man said. He’d been in front, staring daggers at me since
I’d arrived.
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“A reason for the daggers you were shooting at me earlier. I have no
idea who your brother is, or—”
“How wouldn’t you know? You were there when he was killed, when
his daughter was drained of her blood by you bloodthirsty beasts!”
I frowned. He was making me angry, and he was doing it fast.
“I shall ask you to refrain from speaking to me like that. Need I
remind you, I’m not my father. His son, yes, but not him. I shall also
remind you that I am king, so watch your tongue, or I’ll watch it for
you.”
It was evident I was angry now. A murmur broke out in the crowd, and
I felt Freda move closer to me. She was the reason I hadn’t lost
control.
“You filthy vampires think you’re royalty, but I’ll show you you’re
nothing but blood–drinking pests. I challenge you to a duel!”
I heard gasps, including Freda’s. I clenched my hands into fists as I
took a step down from where I stood.
“Damien, don’t.” I heard Freda say.
I stopped in my tracks, then slowly turned to look at her “A challenge
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is not to be taken lightly, Freda. He has challenged me, and I must see
to it.”
I could see the guards from the corner of my eyes coming closer. I
halted them in their tracks. Stay out of this.”
They weren’t completely going to stay out of it, but for now, they
wouldn’t dare meddle. I made my way toward the bald man. He didn’t
look the least frightened, and it made me smile. He was bold–I’d give
him that. It was just a pity he wasn’t going to be alive much longer.
“Challenge accepted. A fight to the death.”
Whispers broke out, then suddenly it became rowdy, and people
began to oppose the idea. I paid no heed as I launched myself
forward, grabbing the man by the neck. Giving him no time to shift,
since he was short, it was easy holding him above the ground.
“All bark and no bite. Just like the dog you are.”
Some other people shifted and tried to attack me, but the guards held
them down.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
