Episode 5

Everyone grew nervous, and they sent the girls to another room.

Lord Sallow endured the pain and stood. He had to be on his feet before the King Alpha, who was too vain to tolerate anyone remaining seated in his presence.

Lord Sallow became a bundle of nerves before the King Alpha. They made a warm bow, and he bore the pain.

"Lady Sallow, leave me alone with your husband."

The woman nodded and withdrew.

The king fixed his eyes on Elric.

"I do not agree to my princess marrying your son, Lord Sallow. It is not ill will, but I do not believe he is a worthy mate for her."

Elric kept his head down.

"Only time, and he himself, can prove whether it was worth it. I heard you faced my warriors like a savage, Lord Sallow. If your son had done that, I would have no doubt he would be perfect. But he didn't. He preferred to run like a rat," the man said.

Lord Sallow and his son remained silent. They could say nothing. They looked at the King Alpha, dressed in a red cape embroidered with golden thread and a shining crown.

"In any case, I have decided to marry one of your daughters to my dear son, Prince Conan."

Lord Sallow's eyes widened.

"One of my daughters?"

"I have chosen the little she-wolf Anika, since I do not know Saya. As for Saya, I want to meet her right now. I know she has a warrior's spirit. That is what Yulak, my savage warrior, told me. I want to meet her now. Take her to your garden while I admire Lady Sallow's roses."

The King Alpha went out, and they bowed.

"Father, my sister will be a royal consort!"

Lord Sallow glared at him and tightened a hand around his throat.

"You're an idiot. You don't know what you've done," his father pronounced.

Lady Sallow went for her daughter and demanded she go outside.

"It is the King Alpha who is looking for you outside!"

Saya grew very nervous. Her mother fixed her dark, straight hair.

When the girl started outside, her father stopped her.

"Be smart. Be careful what you say about the Luna Dagda pack."

The girl trembled and nodded. She understood what her father meant.

King Alpha Kadir had always hated that pack. More than that, the one time he had tried to face them with his great army, the Luna Dagda pack had finished them all off. They had even killed one of the King Alpha's sons, Prince Yan. The King Alpha had mourned his loss so deeply he had almost died of grief.

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Saya reached the garden and saw the King Alpha. She swallowed. She had never seen the king before, at least not face-to-face, only from a distance.

She approached and made a gentle bow without lifting her face.

"Lady Saya. So you are the fierce little she-wolf who nearly killed Yulak?"

Saya felt the King Alpha's hand touch her chin, forcing her to look at him.

At last, Saya's eyes met the man's.

The King Alpha offered a warm smile as he studied her face.

His hand moved toward her face, and the girl went rigid. She was clever enough to know that if she pulled away from that hand, she and her family would be in mortal danger.

She felt his touch, the man pinching her chin with a certain softness.

"I don't see a single savage trait. I see only a beautiful female. How can this be the same she-wolf who struck my men? I have heard stories about you, Saya, but I believe only one is true. Do you want to know which one?"

Saya lowered her gaze.

"I want to hear anything Your Majesty wishes to tell me," she said softly. It was better to stay on this man's good side. She was not foolish enough to risk losing her head.

"Is it true that my sweet Lady Saya seduced Alpha Savir of the Luna Dagda pack so he would save her life?" the king asked.

His eyes turned severe, and the pinch on her chin began to hurt.

Saya looked at him in terror. Her instinct tempted her to defend herself, but her mind reminded her that one false step would be the end.

"No..." she stammered.

"And why should I believe you, Saya?"

She hesitated.

"If I had seduced Alpha Savir of the Luna Dagda pack, why would he let me go? Wouldn't he keep me in his pack for himself?"

The King Alpha felt her question had made him look like a fool. He released her at once.

Saya only lowered her gaze.

She is a clever little thing. That is how a queen should be, unlike Queen Marah, the king's wolf thought.

The man smiled and caressed her cheek as if she were an injured pup.

"Very well, Lady Saya. I do not judge you for anything. I will always hold you in great affection. I like females like you, always sincere and strong. I do not want a trembling old she-wolf on my back."

The king smiled. Saya gave him little more than a passive look, then offered him a bow.

The king followed her, and they entered the house.

"Bring Lady Anika and Lord Elric to the castle in one week. We will hold the ceremony quickly."

Saya was left shocked. Then they bowed, and the king was gone.

Alone, Saya looked at her father in confusion.

"Anika is getting married?"

Her mother was happy.

"Anika is getting married! To a prince! My children will be royalty. What a great honor. Saya will be able to choose a great nobleman," the woman said.

"Be quiet, woman! You have no idea what damn mess we're in."

"Mess? The messes are over, dear husband. Our children will be royal consorts! We will be very rich, powerful. No one will be able to hurt us."

"Be quiet! Alpha Savir of the Luna Dagda pack chose Anika as his wife. Now tell me, how can I marry Anika to two men? How will I keep my word?"

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