The Wicked Wolf

Book 2:Three

The history behind the current King of the Werewolves is long and bloody.

It is a past not many speak about— at least not openly.

The horrible truth is, he killed his own brother. There is more to the story but, ultimately, everyone only remembers that part.

My brother and I were shielded from this past until we turned a certain age and our parents sat us down to talk about it. They told us every detail. The good. The bad. The horrible and the heartbreaking.

We were young when they told us, not really knowing the world like they did, but we were old enough to understand. Old enough to realize the pain that they’ve experienced and old enough to learn that we had to be different.

I remember thinking how difficult it was for them and how, up until this day, they are still criticized for their past that wasn’t even their fault.

After that, I made sure to dedicate my life to defending my family and to make sure Helios never had to experience anything like that. Because he will be King one day, and it will not be easy… especially when he looks exactly like the reason why the Krul family was almost erased.

Arriving at the throne room, I felt my father’s presence through the door.

For most people, to feel his presence is akin to death.

He is called the Wicked Wolf and even through the door, I could feel it. The wickedness. The power.

Side by side, Lio and I entered the throne room without another word.

I found my father easily in this big room, and it wasn’t because he was sitting on the throne.

Ensconced behind a towering wall of stone and magma, the Wicked Wolf sat quietly in his seat. He is an enigma to most. A man of so few words, no one could say for certain what went on in his mind. His throne room reflected his personality perfectly; dark, mysterious and intimidating. Both the room and its master could induce terror into people’s minds.

But this wasn’t just any man.

This was our father.

And heaven knows just how much he loves us.

The King of the Werewolves’ face instantly melted into a warm smile at the sight of us, but it was also sharp, like he wasn’t used to smiling.

We are lucky that our father loves us so much because I hate to think what it would be like to be at the wrong end of that smile.

Because it was very much wicked.

Like a demon hiding behind human skin.

It promised pain and death and suffering.

Truly, it is amazing how one man can have such power and that man is our father.

He stands from his throne, the King walking down from his rightful post to get to us before wrapping Lio and I in an affectionate embrace.

“You’re late.” The King of the Werewolves clearly says to me.

But I only smiled and gestured towards my brother. “I kept telling Lio to hurry up, but he didn’t want to—“

My father squeezes my arm tight. “You know I was talking about you.”

I tried my best to look as bashful as possible. “You know me so well.”

“A little too well.” He humors, eyes squinting down at me as if for a quick inspection of possible injuries that weren’t reported to him. “We’ve missed you. You were gone far too long.”

Lio is quick to add to this, using this very specific voice whenever he wants to use his ‘big brother by five minutes’ on me. “That’s what I keep telling her.”

Forcing a smile, I looked away from them. “I just love being out there.”

Even with my face turned away, my eyes focused on the throne, I could still feel my father’s dark red eyes burning through me.

He didn’t believe me.

But he wasn’t going to say anything about it.

At least not with Lio here.

“Regardless, I’m glad you’re home for your brother’s wedding.” He says to break the sudden tension in the air. “Even if you think the woman he’s marrying has horse teeth.”

I quickly glanced at Lio, shooting him an apologetic look. “I wasn’t going to miss it. Not for the world.”

“We all know you were planning to. Julian practically had to drag you back here.” Lio openly scoffs before facing our father. “Do you think that horses have a better personality than her?”

The King of the Werewolves doesn’t bother to answer the question despite knowing the answer. “You should check on your mother. Help her with the wedding preparations.”

We were all but pushed out the door in a hurry by our father, making us both share a look.

“He didn’t answer my question.” He grumbled towards me.

I patted his back. “I don’t think he had to, and I don't think you have to ask.”

Just when Lio and I were about to head for where our mother was, the King of the Werewolves appeared through the doors once more. “Oh, before I forget. Your mother wanted me to talk to you, Dami. She invited men to the wedding— men she thinks you might like.”

This time I didn’t bother hiding my distaste. “You waited until the last moment to say that.”

Our father made a show of holding the thick doors. “When I was safely protected by this door, yes.”

Lio grins at him. “Why are you afraid of your own daughter?”

The King of the Werewolves had a quick reply. “Her mother taught her how to fight.”

I blew out a tired breath at both of their antics. “Father, I don’t think—“

He shushes me with a wave of his hand. “Don’t worry. I made sure to add my own choice to the mix. You know him. You two used to be friends. Rasmus.”

Lio is the one that answers for me, reeling back with wide eyes. “Rasmus? You mean Captain Raz? Your choice is that guy?”

Our father frowns. “Why? What’s wrong with him?”

“You’re fighting fire with more fire?” Lio asks, giving me a long side eye.

Dumbfounded, our father merely nodded. “Yes. He is of sturdy stock.”

And he was.

Raz is probably the largest of us— even more so than father. He’s tall and thick with muscle, perfectly built for war and mayhem. He’s impressively chiseled and handsome too.

He’s so popular with women that my own cousins like him.

The men and the women.

They would call him perfect despite not being a Rhys.

“Sturdy? Father, I’m not looking for a mount.” I reasoned, wanting to be done with this topic.

Lio made a choking sound coming from deep within his throat. “Well, in some way he will be—“

I slapped my hand to his mouth, shushing him. “Shut up, Helios.”

“Yes, please shut up, Helios.” Our father agreed with a frown that showed sharp teeth. "No one needs to hear that."

Lio only burst out laughing, the sound of it muffled by my hand. “He’s a pretty mount at least. That will make him easier to ride.”

This time our father is the one to cover his mouth and shush him.

I only continue to shake my head.

“I know you are having trouble finding your mate.” Our father sympathizes, reaching through the opened door to touch my cheek. “I am simply here to offer my help and no one is forcing you to be with anyone if you’re not ready.”

And I know he means it.

Both he and my mother never really forced Lio and I to find our mates.

There was simply a time when Lio and I were so jealous of what our parents had that we traveled the world looking for our very own mate.

We came back months later empty handed and disappointed.

Lio continued his search, but I never really joined him after the first time.

“Still, I thought you would like Rasmus.” Our father continued with a rare smile on his face. “He is a distant relative of Julian. Trained by him as well. He’s a skilled Captain, respected by many. You’ve fought some battles with him these past few years, I’m sure. He has substantial land and wealth and I know that doesn’t matter to you, but I do not know what else to say except that he is a good person. His family is kind, raising him the same way and, from what I know, he doesn’t have any other women in his life—“

I gaped at him in utter disbelief. “Did you really ask that? Ask him if he has any other women in his life?”

A distant look in our father’s eyes spoke of some horrible things he didn’t want to share with us at the moment. “From experience, it’s best to know if there’s another woman in his life, regardless of what she is. Trust me. I’ve learned my lesson. You’ll mind if he has another woman somehow. You’ll definitely mind.”

“Why do you care so much about this?” I questioned with a huff, trying to forget the image of my father pestering a captain of his army about his past with women. “You and mother don’t care if I find a mate or not.”

Feeling safe enough from my wrath, he finally makes his way out of the gap in the door he’s been hiding behind. “We want you happy. Is that so bad?”

I crunched up my face. “And you think a man is going to make me happy?”

The last thing I needed right now was a mate.

I frankly didn’t need the hassle.

There just isn’t time for love or whatever happiness is waiting for me somewhere.

And besides, I’m happy enough.

“No. I think you’re happy without one but a mate, and if not a mate, but a partner in life who you can rely on completely, it’s… something else. At least for me, it is. It is something that has made me very happy— happier than I would have ever thought was possible, and I just want that for you as well. Both of you.” He took Lio and I towards the split in the mountain where the moon was slowly taking its place in the sky. The wind blew cold, making me close my eyes and breathe in the smell of home. “But you, my sweet girl, I want you taken care of even when you’re out there fighting for us. I want you provided for when all you want to do is rest. And I want you to be loved like the way I have experienced with your mother.”

I felt his words pierce through my chest. “Then I will try, father. For you. Or at least I’ll think about it.”