Fated To A Cursed Alpha King

Diana stood in the ballroom, staring blankly. Everyone was paired and she was the only one standing awkwardly. She turned from time to time, trying to get familiar with her environment.

"The king isn't here." A woman whispered behind her. She didn't turn because she knew that whoever was speaking wasn't referring to her.

"Did you hear me?" The voice came again. "Hey! Sophie!"

Diana calmed down. She was almost going to turn to answer until she heard the name that was mentioned. She exhaled softly in relief.

"What has that got to do with me, Maddie? If he's not showing up then that's fine too! No one wants to see his cursed face anyway." Sophie said. Diana's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. What curse? She thought it was only a rumor.

"Don't be like that, Soph. Oh but if he does come around and chooses a bride!"

Sophie chuckled. "Sometimes I wonder how I ended up being friends with someone as stupid as you are."

"Aw, that's harsh Soph."

The two girls made up instantly and resumed their discussion about the king. Diana was still standing in the same spot. A young man approached her. From the way he looked and smelled, Diana could tell he was a weak werewolf.

"Hello." He said with a small smile. "My name is "

"Hi, bye." She said and turned in the other direction. The guy felt very embarrassed and left quickly. Once she noticed he had left, she turned back to the direction she was facing all the while.

The King's righthand man came into the ballroom with a wine glass and a spoon. Ting! The place became quiet immediately. All attention was drawn to the lone man who stood at the entrance of the dining.

"Attention, the king has called for everyone to show up at the diner for dinner with him. He will be joining us soon." Right after speaking, he ordered the guards to open the door. The people began to stream into the dining room. As nasty as they wanted to be, they had their reputation to protect so they didn't run. They managed to contain the excitement of seeing the king and walked into the dining room.

Diana stood, searching for her stepfather. If she couldn't find him, she would be happy that she could at least ditch the event. Looking left and right and not sighting him anywhere, she believed that he had somehow rushed into the dining room to save a seat close to the king. Diana smirked to herself. Hurriedly, she turned to escape but her vision got blocked by a wall and she still bumped into it. She fell backward to the floor. Looking up, she noticed it was a man.

Couldn't he stop her from falling? She scowled slightly at him. Nevertheless, she got up and dusted her dress. Diana was a beautiful lady. With skin that was white as milk and reddish brown hair that cascaded down her waist, softly caressing her bums. Her hazel eyes somehow had golden streaks that seemed to always glow brightly, differentiating her from the crowd.

"I'm sorry." She apologized. "I wasn't watching my way."

The man didn't respond to her. He was putting on a mask so she couldn't tell if he was mad or not. But from the way his presence intimidated her, she could tell that he was someone she could not bear to offend. She swallowed her baseless pride and apologized very humbly. Her stepfather would skin her alive if he heard she brought added problems to him.

Staring down at her, the man could see the varying emotions swirling through her eyes. He could tell that despite her apology, she could very well be cursing at him in her heart.

"Who brought a little lamb like you to the lions' den?" He asked. His voice was so deep and full of authority. The strength and power it carried made Diana weak in the knees. She took her gaze away from his and put them on the floor.

"What flock do you belong to, huh? Answer me little lamb." He mocked. Diana felt a rage come over her. She raised her head in defiance but her fiery eyes met his fiery ones. His were glowing red and she could tell that he was not someone she could offend. She cooled down instantly.

"I'm not a little lamb." She muttered, looking away from him.

"Not a little lamb? But you are a lamb? Just a slightly bigger than little one." The man said. His eyes roamed her body. He could tell what she had under the clothes which she wore and he wanted to touch them to know how they felt. Diana felt violated under his stare.

"I'm not a lamb at all!" She fired back.

"Diana!" A hard voice called. Diana shook slightly and the fear she tried to hide suddenly resurfaced in her eyes. She would have made her escape if this proud man hadn't just stopped her! Growling within herself, she turned to find the devil she had been trying to escape, behind her. He was making the slow walk to meet her.

"What are you doing here? Who are you talking to?!" He demanded. Diana turned to look at the man she had been arguing with just to confirm if he was a ghost. Truthfully, he was no longer there. Her face turned dark.

"No one." She murmured. "I want to return home." She said, Thomas frowned at her.

"Why will you return home? The king is about to make a public show!"

"I don't care! I want to go home. This isn't a place for..." She trailed off. Was she just about to call herself a little lamb? Before her

stepfather could say anything more, she ran off. As she ran, the events of the day played in her head again. From the start of the day.

She remembered everything. Her only concern was, who was that stranger who made her feel so many emotions at once and still managed to make her look like a lunatic before her stepfather? Why did he seem so powerful

The day had started with her being in the kitchen, doing the dishes. One would assume that living in such a large and beautiful house, she would be treated like a princess. Well, the case was different for her. Only she knew what she was truly facing at home. Her stepfather would not allow her to have freedom. She never went out except he came along. She never had any friends, except the ones he approved.

Anything in general that had the potency to cause her freedom was disapproved of by him. She was living as a maid in her own house. After losing her father, her mother remarried. The man treated her nicely until her mother left. He was the legal custodian since his marriage to her mum was legal. The day her mother died was the day she lost her freedom. That was the reason they had maids in the house but she did everything.

Gradually, the man gambled the house and her father's wealth away, leaving her to suffer extreme poverty and still be in debt.

"Diana! How long will it take you to finish doing the dishes?! We need to hurry and leave!" He yelled from the sitting room. Sighing to herself, Diana rounded off the washing and cleaned the kitchen counter surface, making sure everywhere was shiny.

She went to her room to bathe and dress up. They were supposed to attend an elite party and although she wasn't interested, her stepfather would never want to catch wind of her lack of interest.

"Mingling with the rich and clueless is the surest way to make enough money." He would always say.

Diana picked a fancy dress. It was one out of the only three dresses she had left. Her fancy clothes had been sold off by her stepfather to clear some outstanding debts.

The man hired a cab to the venue. Diana was surprised they were using a cab. Where did he find the money to pay for it?

"You must be on your best behavior, Diana. We can't afford to screw this up." He said softly.

Diana was also surprised he was speaking so softly to her. "Why is this one so important?" She muttered.

"Well because we shall be meeting a lot of wealthy people. Ah, we might even find a good husband for you! You have to bring out your charm, be ready to enchant all the young and wealthy men out there."

Diana scowled at him, but she turned her face to the window so that he would not see her scowling. What did he mean by finding a wealthy husband? Was he about to sell her off as well? She would not accept it.

When they arrived at the venue, Diana looked around the environment. The house seemed like a castle. There were different cars parked in and around the building. Diana felt like she was walking through a maze as she walked between the cars which were parked in a pattern. Occasionally, she would stare up at her stepfather.

"Raise your legs!" He scolded with a glare that seemed to be piercing her heart. Diana shuddered in fear. Being in the castle made her feel very unnerved.

They entered the ballroom, unnoticed. Everyone was concerned about making friends. She was standing to the side, silently counting the hours to the end of the party so that she could leave.

"Diana!" She groaned silently, hearing the gruff voice that belonged to no one else but her stepfather. Changing her scowling face to a slightly smiling one, she turned to answer him.

"Sir?"

"Free yourself. Make some friends, don't just stand there like you have no life!"

Diana chuckled lightly. "Alright. I will do as you have said."

That was what led to the incident with the strange and powerful man. After listening to his instructions, she couldn't find him anywhere else so she stayed at one spot.

Diana didn't care about the repercussions of her actions. She had had enough of him. Yet she couldn't do anything to him. Absolutely nothing.

The masked man stood above them, watching the interaction between the girl and the man. He could tell that he must be her father. He smirked when she turned around and didn't find him. But instead of saying the truth, she said nobody.

But when she trailed off in her sentence, he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. His righthand man started from the girl to him. Was this nobody amusing to his master?

He watched the entire drama, smirking to himself. Diana was her name? And the man was here to find a worthy mate for her? Well, he needed someone to break his curse and she seemed like the right choice. No one else was willing to give their daughter out.

He signaled for his assistant to come.

"See that man over there, the one wearing a green cloak?"

"Yes sir, I see him."

"Good. Follow him. I want to know his house. Then send an invitation to him. He must meet me here tomorrow by noon. We have a matter to discuss."

"Is it about the girl whom you find amusing? Is she about to become your queen?"

"George."

"Yes, Master," George answered.

"Never question my order. Whatever I say, you comply with no questions whatsoever."

"Yes, master."

"Good. Now go after the man and make sure you do not lose him in the crowd."

Diana had no idea what was being planned for her. She only managed to escape and took the very long walk home. But she was grateful for the walk because it helped her to clear her head. That was what she needed.

Getting home, she broke into an emotional mess. She climbed up to her room sluggishly, her eyes were getting wetter as she did and once she entered her room, the waterworks began. She had no control over them again.

Diana cried and wished that her sorrows would be over. Somehow, she just wanted a miracle to happen. So when her stepfather returned home and began to yell curses at her, he got interrupted by a visitor.

She tried to listen to the conversation but she didn't grab anything. All she knew was that the person who had come was her savior. Who was he anyway? And what had he told her stepfather to have him calm suddenly?

By the next morning, Diana had still not come out. Thomas was getting angrier by the second. The king requested for him to come with his family member, how come she didn't want to come along?

"Diana! Why do you make me so cross!" He fumed. Diana remained still in her room. She knew that she was only adding to her troubles.

"Why don't you go and answer the king, Tommy." She mocked. Thomas banged the door even harder at the sound of her mockeryfilled voice.

"You stinky brat!"

"Go on. I have a lot to do today. Once I'm done, I will come and see the king with you." Diana bargained. Thomas agreed instantly. Anything to get her out of the room. Once they returned home, she was going to see hell!

He hired a cab and left for the castle.

Calhoun was at the tower of his castle, looking down at the vast kingdom. Being a feared king was one of his treasured traits. But now, if he wanted to break the curse, it depended on how feared he was. He hoped that the man would come with the girl. When he saw the cab stop in front of the castle, his stoic face cracked into a small smile. He watched the man come out, waiting for the girl.

Alas, his wait proved useless because the cab man drove off. The small smile that cracked his cold expression seemed to freeze and then disappear. Did the man want to defy him?

"Sire, it seems that the man you requested has arrived." His assistant said to him. Calhoun didn't move an inch.

"Did he come with any member of his family, George?"

"No sir. He came alone." George answered with a bow, despite having Calhoun's back to him.

Calhoun hummed. "Then I shall not see him. He did not fulfill the requirements for today's meeting."

"What shall I tell him, sire?"

"Tell him I said if he wishes to defy me, he should do it completely. So that when I visit him in rage, he shall have no guilt whatsoever."

George bowed again and left. Calhoun squinted his eyes at the castle gate. He stood there for hours, staring at nothing in particular. No one ever could defy him. Not his second in command, not his third in command, not any noble in town. He was the Alpha of Wisteria. Curse or no curse, he was unstoppable.

Calhoun returned to the castle after spending a few hours, doing nothing, to find the man still there. He turned to glare at George who had his face on the floor.

"Seems like someone has become incapable," Calhoun said, tapping his chin. He walked around the meeting chamber in his thick scarlet robe, making a trail after him. He walked with all manner of pride and dignity, to the throne where he sat. His movements were very precise.

"Why is he still here, George?"

George bowed again. "My king, I had asked him to leave. But he returned a few minutes later with a young maiden, saying she was his family member."

Calhoun became interested. "Well, where is the family member? Is she a ghost?"

"She left, sire," Thomas replied. Calhoun ignored him. After a few seconds of silence, he smirked down at Thomas.

"She left? How disrespectful." He murmured. "Do you know the punishment for refusing the generous offers of the king?"

Thomas bowed. Truly, Calhoun was a menace. Listening to him bellow from his throne was akin to hearing the voice of the gods.

"Forgive me, My Lord. I'm sorry on her behalf. I will bring her to apologize personally to you." Thomas begged.

"Apologize? I do not need apologies." Calhoun said.

"Then what can we give to you, My Lord?"

"I want her as a slave."

"S..slave? My Lord, what if she refuses?" Thomas stuttered. He knew how stubborn Diana was. She was never going to accept being a slave.

"Figure something out. I give you twentyfour hours, Thomas. If Diana isn't in my castle by then, you will have your head rolling." Calhoun said with a small smile. Thomas gulped. He bowed and left.

Diana sat beside her stepfather in the cab that took them to the castle. Although she was unnerved, she also couldn't help but notice that Thomas seemed happier that she was leaving.

"You look as if you are the one marrying the king," Diana whispered. Thomas scowled at her.

"Don't utter such nonsense about the king. Learn to close your mouth and bridle your tongue!"

"What's there to bridle? I was only asking.." she shrugged. "I was only referring to your happiness. It's more unnerving than the thought of being married to King Calhoun."

Thomas scoffed. "Keep your mouth shut and let me do all the talking."

Diana turned her face away. She looked through the window, watching the road through to the castle. The cab slowed down at the entrance to the castle and she came out with Thomas. Diana stared at the mighty but familiar building before her.

She was once again here. For the third day in a row. But now she was here for a different purpose. To be married to the king.

She wondered what he looked like. Alighting from the vehicle, she turned to take a glance around the castle. The previous day she was mad and hadn't bothered to enjoy the castle's beauty. The other day, she was bothered by how to escape, also it was night.

Her eyes went up to a particular side of the castle. She thought she could see a man staring down at her. She blinked twice and the man was no longer there.

"Diana! What are you staring at?! Hurry up and let's get in!" Thomas whispered. Diana scrunched up her nose. She followed him into the castle. The servants would occasionally stare at her.

Diana frowned a little. The castle did not look like they were preparing for marriage. What exactly was going on? She narrowed her eyes at her stepfather. He looked way happier than he was supposed to.

George was the man who had seen them. He had watched them come in and run to meet Calhoun in his chamber, dressing up. He was dressed in a white shirt and grey pants. Then he wore his purple robe over his attire. He stood before the mirror watching as the maids dressed him up. Very soon, it will be Diana, his maid, dressing him up so nicely.

"They are here, my Lord," George said, bowing slightly. Calhoun turned left and right before the mirror.

"What do you think, George? Do I look like a man who is ready to accept a woman?" Calhoun asked lightly. George frowned slightly.

"Pardon me, my Lord, but isn't the lady going to be employed as a maid in the castle?"

Calhoun turned to stare at the man. "Maid? In the castle? No no no no no."

"Diana is going to be bought, a slave for the king. She isn't a maid for the castle. Meaning, she serves only me."

George scratched his head. "I might have misunderstood then."

"I hope you haven't blabbed a thing to the poor lamb," Calhoun said distastefully. He took three steps forward then stopped abruptly. "Do you not know how to answer me?"

"Oh? No no, my Lord. I haven't blabbed a word about the business to her. She is as ignorant as her stepfather would have told her."

Calhoun smiled. "Good. Now, come with me. We have guests to welcome. Inform Nichole to prepare a mini feast for the guests. Tell her I want blood mixed in the wine. Just like we royals feast."

George bowed in response and turned the other way, towards the kitchen. Calhoun watched him leave, his smile darkening as he did. He turned and resumed his journey to the meeting chamber.

Once he got in, he went to his seat and sat down, he spared them no apology. They stood up to greet him and he simply waved the greeting off.

"Let's get down to business then. I believe we all know why we are here?" Calhoun asked.

"Yes," Thomas answered immediately. "I have briefed my stepdaughter about the arrangement."

"Did she accept it?" He asked. Then turning to Diana, he asked as well. "Do you accept it?"

Diana was perplexed. Did he expect her to reject it? "Yes, my Lord."

Calhoun hummed. "Well, in that case, it's settled. She will begin to live in the castle from now. No need to get her clothes or anything, those things will be taken care of."

Thomas grinned and nodded. "That's good, that's good. Do you hear that, Diana? You get to live in the castle."

Diana managed a smile. She had a gut feeling about the scenario playing before her and it wasn't good in the least.

George arrived. "My Lord, the meal is ready and has been served in the dining room."

Calhoun turned to them with a smile. "Let's dine."

Thomas and Diana stood up after him and followed him to the dining. Calhoun sat at the head. Thomas pushed Diana to sit beside him while he sat two seats away.

"Relax, I don't bite," Calhoun whispered to her. Diana shuddered. Why did it sound like a wolf beckoning on a sheep?

She focused on the meal. Whatever went on between the king and her stepfather, she didn't understand. Not long after, Thomas stood up and requested to leave.

"Alright, it was nice doing business with you. The rest of your package is with George." Calhoun said.

"George!" He called almost immediately after ending his first speech. "See Mr. Thomas out and make sure to give him the remainder of his promised package."

"Yes, my Lord," George said with a bow. "This way, Mr. Thomas."

Diana watched her stepfather leave. Her heart sank with each step he took away from the room.

"If you want, you can go with him. I'm sure all he needs is a few dollar bills and he can have you back." Calhoun said.

Diana scowled. "Have me back? I don't think I want to return."

"Your expression tells a different story." Calhoun pointed out.

"A different story? What might it be?"

"You look as if you want to follow him. You have that look of longing, like the ones the women who have previously climbed my bed held."

Diana gagged at his words. She glared at him. Was he that shameless? Calhoun chuckled darkly.

"I'm not longing for Thomas, and that is so disgusting! I'm just confused."

"Confused? What about?"

"Thomas said I was getting married to you. I was wondering why he was leaving without the wedding banquet." She said, Calhoun laughed. His laughter sounded nice in her ears, but the sound shook her heart. How could one man make her feel different emotions all at once?

"Your stepfather told you that you were getting married to me? And you believed him?"

Diana frowned. "What do you mean by 'and I believed him?' Was I supposed to not believe him?"

Calhoun stared fixedly. "You do what I say. I ask the questions. You haven't earned the right to ask questions yet."

Diana shuddered. "But, if not marriage, then what?"

Calhoun tapped his chin. "If you complete your daily task, you get a chance to ask two questions."

Diana exhaled softly. "What tasks am I supposed to do?"

Calhoun grinned. "I like the sound of that. But I prefer you ask, "What do I want you to do?"

"What do you want me to do?" Diana asked slowly. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"First, go to the kitchen and bring me a bottle of wine mixed with blood." He said. Diana stood there, waiting for directions.

"Well, get to it." He said.

"I don't know where the kitchen is," Diana replied. "What's the way there?"

"You haven't earned the right to ask any questions yet. Follow your instincts. Use your sniff to find the kitchen. Don't tell me you're truly a lamb and not even a cub." He teased me. Diana turned around and left the dining room.

The moment she left, Calhoun's jovial expression disappeared. How did Thomas end up telling her that he was to marry her? Did he not tell her he wanted her as a slave? Did he also trick him? He narrowed his eyes.

"Pray to your god Thomas, that she does everything I ask." He murmured. He got up and left the dining room, returning to his chamber.

Diana found her way to the kitchen. It wasn't difficult to locate, considering she started the journey from the dining room.

She didn't know who Nichole was, and the other maids didn't know who she was, so they couldn't respond to her. They treated her like thin air.

"Nichole?" She called aloud. A few maids turned to see who dared to call the head maid so recklessly.

"Who are you?" Nichole answered from behind.

"Hi, I'm Diana. The king asked me to get him wine mixed with blood from you." Diana said.

Nichole sized her. "Are you the new maid?"

"New, yes. Maid, certainly not."

Nichole eyed her again. "Where did you come out from?"

"That's a rude thing to say. Just give me the wine so I can return to the king before he leaves the dining room."

Nichole walked passed her. "Leave. I will have the wine delivered to his chamber myself."

Diana frowned. "Listen, Nichole, he specifically requested I bring the wine to him."

"And I said I will get it to him. Now go." Nichole ordered. Diana stood stubbornly. She didn't want to miss her chance to understand what was going on.

Seeing that she wasn't going to move, Nichole grabbed the wrong bottle and gave it to her. Diana took it and left. Nichole grabbed the right bottle and took it straight to Calhoun's chamber. She knew he would no longer be in the dining room.

Diana reached the dining room and found it empty. "Great." She muttered. "He just had to leave."

She returned to the kitchen to find Nichole no longer there.

"Does anyone know the way to the king's chamber?" She asked. Nobody answered her.

She sighed and left again. Walking through the hallways, she decided to listen closely. She heard muffled words. She closed her eyes to focus. With eyes closed, she walked through the hallways and found Calhoun's chamber. She opened her eyes.

She touched the door handle to open the door when she heard George's voice.

"You should knock before entering." He said. Diana turned to find the unfriendly man behind her.

"He did request for me to bring the wine to him, what's the essence of knocking?" Diana asked with a shrug.

"Diana, right? Listen, your stay here will be harder than you thought. But you must persevere. King Calhoun is cruel and aggressive. The alpha male in him is more primal than his human nature. So you must be careful." George advised. "Don't make any mistakes whatsoever."

Diana worked her ass off in the castle. The other maids in the castle were jealous of her. She didn't take orders from anyone else but the king. Although they knew how cruel he was, they all would give anything to be that close to the king.

Diana would prepare Calhoun's bath water. Sometimes, he made her wash his body. At the start, it was disgusting. But gradually, she began to feel a strong affection for him. All he wanted from her was to break his curse. Diana had fallen in love with him along the line.

She would wash Calhoun's body while he lay still in the water, sometimes it ended up with him mating with her. That was the break of the curse. Calhoun was to never reproduce or bring an heir. But being with Diana changed that. Diana had thought it would change his feelings for her, but nothing changed.

He still ordered her around, sending her to do difficult tasks and giving her little rewards at the end of the day.

Diana was saddened. Her heart was weary. She hoped that he would one day change, especially when she found out that Calhoun was her fated mate.

"Diana," George called. "King Calhoun has summoned you to his chamber."

Diana got up with a sigh. She was very exhausted. She hadn't had any rest for two weeks. Calhoun had been very busy with meetings with the other kings, and the kings' makers. There seemed to be a starting problem in the kingdom.

"George, is it urgent?" She asked. "I don't think I can find the strength to move my legs."

George sighed. "You cannot ignore him, Diana. You signed up for this."

"I did not!" She whispered. "I did not sign up for this. I never knew what was going on. I was tricked." Her eyes welled up with tears.

George felt bad for her. He knew how terrible Calhoun could be. That was why he was feared even by the kingmakers. That was the problem the other kings were having with him.

Diana sobbed lightly. She heard footsteps that sounded heavy on the floor. She could tell it was Calhoun. Her senses were able to pick his scent, his heartbeat, and even the pattern of his footsteps.

"Speak of the devil." She murmured. She took three large steps and she reached the door just as Calhoun pulled it open.

"What kept you?" He growled. "I need a massage."

"My Lord." Diana whimpered. "I'm afraid I cannot give you a massage.. my shoulders are a little sore from the last one I gave."

Calhoun bent over to her level. "Do you dare refute me?"

Diana shook her head slowly. "I dare not, my Lord."

Calhoun nodded. "Now, don't let me get to my chamber before you do." He ordered.

Diana had heard the rest of the conversation. After everything she had done for him? Did she take care of all his needs, enduring the gossip, the afterpain, the heartache, only for him to still see her as a slave?

"I. I can't take this anymore." She whispered. Slowly, she backed away from the hallway. She made her way to the kitchen and then out of the castle using the back door. She journeyed through the thickness of the forest behind the garden. The paths were lonely, but she reminded herself that she was no longer a lamb nor was she a cub. She was a fullgrown werewolf.

Calhoun finished speaking to George and returned to his chamber. He found it empty.

"Diana!" He bellowed. There was no response. He went into the inner chamber. She wasn't there. He stormed out again.

"George!"

"My Lord," George answered from the side. "What is the matter?"

"Diana, where is she?" He demanded. He didn't know why, but his heart was racing. Where was she? He tried to listen for her scent, or her heartbeat, or anything at all. He couldn't pick up anything. Her scent was nowhere near the castle. Did she leave?

"My Lord, perhaps she must have gotten tired and sneaked out to the maid's room. I will have the entire castle searched." George exclaimed.

"Don't just stand there, get going!" He growled.

George scurried away to find the missing maid, praying for her in his heart that she had a plausible explanation for her disappearance.

The search lasted three days. In those three days, Calhoun realized how much she meant to him. He realized how much she cared for him and how he had gotten used to her affection.

But one thing that caused his heart to ache for her, was the realization that he was also in love with her.

With every negative news about finding her that he received, his heart sank further.

He had to find her. He just had to find her. Where could she be? How did she leave?!

"George!"

"My Lord," George answered tiredly. Ever since Diana's disappearance, the castle had been upside down.

"How did she leave? Isn't the castle guarded enough?"

"My Lord, I heard a maid say she saw her sneak out through the forest behind the castle," George answered. He had said this to Calhoun several times.

"She saw her sneak out? And she did nothing? Bring me this maid! I must sip her blood!"

"My Lord, you have to calm down." George pleaded.

Calhoun growled. His eyes began to glow and his hair elongated. His eyes sunk inside. George could tell that the anger in him was much to turn him to his werewolf form. If the maid wasn't brought, he was going to enter into a primal rage where he wouldn't be calm until he was satisfied or worn out.

"I will bring her immediately," George said and ran out. Calhoun took deep breaths.

He turned back to the window of the tower. His eyes looked to the farthest point.

"I will find you, Diana. I will go through the ends of the earth to find you. No matter what comes, I will bring you back. I can't cope without you." He swore. "I swear to you, Diana."

Calhoun stood at his tower, staring far into the distance. His eyes twitched now and then.

He had torn the maid who saw Diana leave into shreds and he did not feel any better. No. Instead, he felt worse.

What if the girl knew the direction in which Diana had gone?

How could he know now?

He exhaled sharply. He heard footsteps approaching. From the sound they made on the marble floor, he could tell it was George.

"My king!" George bowed. "I have searched everywhere in the kingdom and the lady is nowhere to be found."

Calhoun inhaled sharply at George's last five words. Nowhere to be found? How could she be nowhere to be found? Did she have another relative in another kingdom?

"Call. Me. Thomas." He said emphatically, separating each word with a labored breath. George did not need to be told twice. He quickly left the king's presence. He felt sorry for Diana if she was ever found.

Calhoun sighed softly. He turned away from the view of the sky which he had watched turn darker and darker. He returned to his chamber.

"Fetch Nichole." He said to a guard by the side. The man bowed and went to get the head maid. The poor girl was shaking in fear.

"S..s..sir." She stuttered and bowed her face down. Calhoun did not spare her a glance. He did not want to get angry.

"Assign me another maid." He ordered. Nichole bowed and hurried out of his chamber. She had always wanted to be favored by him to serve him, but now that the opportunity came, she didn't want it anymore.

A few minutes after she left, another maid walked in. She had just returned from a visit to her family house and did not know what had happened earlier in the castle.

"My king, Nichole said you asked for me." She said softly with a deep bow. Her voice was soft and cautious, very similar to Diana's. Calhoun turned so fast and when he saw that it wasn't Diana, he got angry again.

"Who are you?" He demanded.

"Me? I. I am Pat." She said softly. "Nichole said you needed a personal maid."

"Make my bath water. Perfect degree." He ordered. The lady stood there without moving an inch.

"Why are you still standing there? Did you not hear me? Are you deaf or dumb?"

"My king, you said the perfect degree and I don't know what that is. How do you want it, hot or cold? Warm? Lukewarm or warm?"

"Don't ask me any stupid questions!" Calhoun roared. His eyes glowed red. The girl shifted in her spot. She didn't know what she said to get the man angry. Also, why did it seem like everywhere was too quiet?

"Get out." Calhoun spat. Pat didn't wait to be told twice, she left his chamber. Calhoun sat there alone, reminiscing about his time with Diana.

"I want my bath ready, Diana. Make it perfect." He ordered. Diana didn't question him. She knew that she only had two questions a day and she didn't want to waste it. She went into the bathtub and mixed his water. When he touched it, he smirked.

"How do you know what I like? You're so observant darling, I like that." He said, caressing her chin. She had tried to remove her face but he gripped it even firmer. She winced slightly and it only made him chuckle.

"Be good, darling." He said. "Now, undress me."

Diana's face flushed red. "How.. how can you"

"Ah ah ah." He asked. "Two questions to remember. Don't waste it on a rhetorical question because I won't answer and that's your loss."

Diana scowled behind him. She reached out to his buttons and undid them. She pulled the shirt off him roughly.

"What the hell, Diana? Do you wish to injure me and incur death?" He demanded. "Take it off, slowly. Your entire worth cannot buy that single shirt, so don't rumble it." Diana fumed. Nevertheless, she obeyed quietly. She took off his clothes and watched him soak in the bath.

"Don't just stand there, cone, and wash my body! Don't you know what being a slave means? Have you never been a slave before?"

Diana shook her head.

"No? No, you will wash my body, or no you have been a slave before? Or perhaps no, you don't know what it means to be a slave?"

Diana sighed softly. She walked to the tip of the bath and knelt. She grabbed the soap and sponge, soaked the sponge, and rubbed the soap all over it. Calhoun's sponge was as soft as a baby's foam, she got jealous. After lathering the soap all over his body, she began to scrub softly. Calhoun gave a content grunt now and then and it only made her turn more shades darker.

"Why are your cheeks red? Have you never bathed a man before?"

"Yes." She whispered.

"Yes, you have?" He asked. "Or yes you have not?"

"Do you always twist people's words to suit your needs?" She whispered, staring down at his firm body that glistened under the warm light.

"That is one question." He stated.

"I'm aware. And it's not a rhetorical question."

"Not? You won't dare force the king to answer your question, would you?"

"The king gave his word, he must keep it," Diana replied.

"And that is exactly what I will do, keep my word." He said. "Yes, Diana. I twist people's words to suit my needs. But isn't that just wonderful? And a rare talent too! C'mon, you have to scrub that part properly."

He sighed to himself. Her second question that night was one he never answered. How did she submit to him so easily? How did she know what suited his needs? He always mistreated her, and insulted her before everyone and she would swallow it and still offer him a nice smile.

He remembered one night, her question had been; could you even respect me even as a regular maid for just one day?

His answer was firm and unthoughtful, no.

"My King," George muttered. "You have been seated in the same position for hours. Your back must be aching."

Calhoun did not respond. He was still reminiscing about his time with Diana. How well she took care of him and all.

"My king," George called a bit louder. Calhoun turned to glare at him. "She's gone. She left.."

"Don't you dare complete that statement," Calhoun warned. "Your job is to find her. Find her. Find her. Find her. Find her!!"

"How many times do I have to say it before you do?!"

"But my king, we have searched the entire kingdom!" George reasoned. Why was Calhoun so hellbent on finding her anyway? Did he not say she was only a slave?

"Where is Thomas anyway?" Calhoun inquired.

"We couldn't find him at home. His neighbors said they also haven't seen him for three to four days now." George said with a light shrug.

"You cannot be serious. Did you search for him everywhere in the kingdom? Or were you waiting for my call too?"

"My king, I wanted to know what you would suggest first."

"Get out, George. Don't return until you have found Diana or Thomas!"

"Y..yes sir." George strutted out of the room. Calhoun exhaled again. "Fetch me, Nichole." He said again.

The same guard who had previously gone went to fetch the head maid again.

"Sir?" Nichole bowed as soon as she got in. "You sent for"

"Fetch me Pat." He ordered.

"P..pat? Wh ooh. Do you mean Tricia? I will get her now."

The head maid once again hurried out from his chamber, and not long after, Pat entered.

"My King"

"Make it lukewarm." That was all he said and then he began undressing shamelessly.

Diana sat down on the train. She knew that she would probably be on the radar if she ran or walked or took a cab. She used the train instead. Sitting there with a few of her clothes which she had stolen from her home on her way, she stared back at the place she had left.

Honestly, she missed the castle already. She missed Calhoun's face and his voice. The feel of his skin under her hand whenever she bathed him.

"Relax, Diana. You cannot be moved now. You have come too far to give up." She murmured. "For the sake of your baby."

Her hands subconsciously went to her stomach and she rubbed it softly.

"Too bad your daddy is an idiot who doesn't give a fickle about anyone else." She whispered, staring down at her stomach.

The train had its first stop, miles away from the kingdom. If anyone came to find her, it would take them hours to get to her location and she would have taken off before then.

She smiled as she alighted the train. The air smelled different and it made her feel nauseated instantly. She covered her mouth and turned to the corner where she bent over and began to throw up.

She felt someone tap her back and she caught the hand immediately. The lady raised the other hand.

"Sorry, I only wanted to ease you up a bit." The lady apologized. Diana slowly let go of the hand.

"Sorry, I... it's just I don't know anybody here." Diana said. She stood up after emptying her bowel. The lady handed her a flask of water. Diana took it and rinsed her mouth.

"Take a sip too." The lady urged. Diana didn't want to hold the flask any longer because it was silver and it was making her feel weak already. She shook her head.

"C'mon, it will help. Alright, let me pour the water in your mouth?"

Diana sighed as if she just gave in because the woman insisted. The lady did not know that she accepted because she offered to hold the flask.

Diana opened her mouth and the lady poured a small amount into her mouth, and she swallowed it. She felt a little better.

"Have you eaten anything yet? It's nearly noon." The lady said. "I'm Maggie."

"Hello Maggie, I'm Diana. I haven't eaten anything but then again, I haven't seen anything that catches my fancy."

"What are you craving?" Maggie asked. "You know, I might think you're pregnant but that will be based on what you say you're craving."

Diana chuckled. "I think I want to eat meat. But I don't want it thoroughly cooked. I want it slightly raw."

Maggie smirked. "Pregnant, yes. That is a very weird craving but I understand. I'm a mother myself."

"Yay." Diana cheered sarcastically. "Where can I find that?"

"I think you will have to special order it. Let's head to a food house that's close by." Maggie pulled Diana to a mock eatery. She sat down and went to place the order for their food.

"Hi, we want a slice of meat that is half done. Let the raw mean still taste out please." Maggie said. "I will just have salad, thanks."

She returned to find Diana still and quiet.

"What's the matter?" She asked. "Are you okay? Heartbroken? You know, traveling alone as a newly pregnant lady tells a lot about your relationship with your husband."

"I was never married," Diana whispered. "It just happened."

"That's even worse. How could it have just happened? Was he drunk?" Maggie demanded.

"Drunk? Perhaps. I don't recall exactly." Diana replied, shying away from the question.

Maggie understood. "That's alright. Hey, eat the meat and tell me how it tastes alright?"

Diana nodded. Maggie talked a whole lot and she was already tired of her.

"What town are you headed to? I'm going to Sunshine town." Maggie said. Diana felt a little relief. Maggie's stop was only a day away. Her journey was still two days ahead.

"I.... I'm headed to the last stop of the train." Diana said. She didn't know the place but she wanted to go there because it was the farthest she could go on such a cheap ride.

"Fraco? Jeez. What will you be doing there?" Maggie asked. "That place is horrible!"

Calhoun was refreshed by the following morning. He had concluded by night, and that was that he was in love with Diana. He couldn't stay without her. What annoyed him the most was that he began to feel all sorts of feelings after she had left!

"I think she might have intentionally run away."

"Perhaps she got fed up with the constant embarrassment?"

"You can't say for sure. Listen, she isn't the only one who gets embarrassed by the king."

"My king." The beta called. "Listen, my king, we gave to figure out a way to stop the people from being alerted."

Calhoun did not say anything.

"My king?" He called again. "My king, are you listening to us?"

"My king, I think the lady is not that important." His beta said. Calhoun was not paying attention to every other thing being said but that one sank in.

He turned aggressively towards the man. His cruel expression turned even more deadly when he scowled. The other man shivered a little. Did he speak out of line? Did he offend the other man?

"Come again," Calhoun said.

"S..sir?"

"I said, come again."

"Oh, my king." The man chuckled softly. "I.. I didn't mean it that way. I was only trying to get your attention."

"Better," Calhoun growled. "Listen, I give you all an assignment today. Everyone must search in his town for Diana. Everyone! There shall be no rest in this kingdom until Diana is found! Otherwise, I want to see Thomas!"

George came and stood beside him. "Sire, the guards have just returned, they say they have Thomas with them."

Calhoun narrowed his eyes at the news he had just heard. "Meeting dismissed."

The other men got up and left but not without bowing to him.

"George," Calhoun called. The other man bowed behind him. "Bring me, Thomas."

George left to fetch the older man who was visibly shaken by the news he had heard. He never believed Diana would play him dirty.

"My king!" Thomas greeted meekly with a very low bow.

"Thomas, where is Diana?" Calhoun went straight to the point. "She left the castle yesterday by dusk and I haven't set eyes on her ever since. Rumors say that she was spotted at the house not up to an hour after she left here."

"My king, I apologize but I haven't ever set my eyes on Diana since she moved here. Maybe once or twice in the market but aside from that, no. Also, I have only just returned home from a trip to the neighboring town."

Calhoun narrowed his eyes again. "Do you dare lie to me?!" He demanded.

Thomas put his face to the floor. "Never my king. I speak only the truth!"

"Get up," Calhoun ordered. Thomas got up shakily but kept his face on the floor. "Leave us."

The guards left the room where they were. Calhoun turned to George. "You too."

George bowed and left as well. He silently prayed for Thomas.

"Sit down, Thomas." The man said. His voice sounded so compelling, Thomas found himself glued to the seat. Calhoun's angry face was terrifying but his silence was far worse. Nobody knew what to expect.

"Tell me everything about her." He said slowly. "If you miss any detail, I will have you slaughtered."

Thomas gulped. "My king I.. I wouldn't know much about her because I am her stepfather. I only remarried her mother when she was about fifteen years of age. Her mother died when she was eighteen. Diana had been quiet ever since. She never played out at all."

"Sometimes I wondered if she ever felt bored or lonely, but she never allowed me to be there for her, so I didn't bother myself at all."

"But Diana is hardworking so long as she can be appreciated. Honestly, my king, I wouldn't lie that I didn't see this coming. I just didn't say anything because I never really expected her to run away from you know it would not take long to find her, and she would be in huge trouble if she was found."

Calhoun stroked his chin. "Tell me more. Why did you think she would escape?"

"Diana had always wanted freedom," Thomas said. "She always wanted someone who would allow her to do the things she loved to do."

"Are you not her stepfather?" Calhoun inquired. "Why then did you never make her happy? You should be jailed."

Thomas began to sweat. How did the tables turn? Yes, he never treated her well but it was never enough to send her far away!

"M..my king.." Thomas stuttered. "Jailed? I'm sorry my king, I"

"Shut up," Calhoun ordered. "George!" He called firmly. In no time the other man was behind him with a low bow.

"Take this man to the dungeon. Keep him there until I say otherwise."

"No, my king! No no, please! I have a clue about where she might be, please free me!" Thomas begged. "She.. she has a distant relative living in Sunshine town."

Calhoun hummed in thought. Sunshine town was still about twentyfour hours away. If they left, they could probably still catch up but it will be at the place itself.

"Sunshine eh?" Calhoun asked. "George, send a few innocent messengers to go and search for her there."

"My king" George tried to refute but one glare from Calhoun and he was up and doing. "Never mind my king. I shall assign the men."

Calhoun watched George leave with Thomas behind him. He sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Diana, look what you have put me through. What the hell would you benefit if you do this to me? Please come back out, I cannot do without you here. Nobody understands me." He whispered. His eyes were closed so he missed the sinister stare that passed through the eyes of one of his guards.

The man glared with all evil intent at his king, and he was unapologetic.

Diana sat still in the train. She wasn't feeling alright. Her body was aching. Sitting in the same position for almost twentyfour hours wasn't all that much of a good thing. Seems like no other person was stopping by.

Not until they reached the next stop. More than half of the remaining passengers came down at that point. Diana was torn in between alighting with them. She didn't know the place nor did she know how good or bad it would be.

The driver allowed them to stay for about thirty minutes while the other passengers alighted carefully. Diana used the time to also stretch her sore limbs. She was hungry again.

"Hi, do you know where I could get something to eat?"

The man looked at her strangely and walked away, murmuring some strange words.

"They don't speak English here." Someone said from behind her. It was another lady. From the way she was dressed, Diana could tell she belonged to the army. "What might you want to get? I could quickly grab it for you."

"Oh, I just want to eat. Anything will be fine." Diana said gratefully. The lady nodded. Diana stood by the door, watching her run into the small town. About ten minutes later, she returned with a small package in her hand.

"Here. It's slurpy noodles. It has a lot of veggies and since I wasn't sure if you would like the meat, I had them package it separately."

"Of course I would like it. Thanks." Diana smiled. "Thank you so much!"

The lady smiled. "I'm Julitta."

"Diana." Diana replied. "I'm heading to Fraco. How about you?"

"Fraco? I'm also headed there! Do you live there?" Julitta asked excitedly.

"No. I'm actually trying to relocate. I have only a few things and I don't even have a place to stay yet."

Julitta nodded. "Accommodation is never an issue in Fraco. Houses are rather cheap and jobs are easy to get. The country is still trying to stand on its own so we're trying to get more citizens as quickly as possible too."

"Then that would just be brilliant wouldn't it?" Diana smiled. "Let's go."

Julitta followed Diana to her seat. They sat together and she filled her in on the happenings in and around Fraco. The government and the upgrade in the military.

Diana enjoyed every bit of Julitta's attention and she loved the gossip. She was tempted to talk to her about her own pack but she wasn't certain if the Fraco citizens were lovers of other creatures or if they found them uncanny as well.

"You know, I'm actually on the run." Diana said. "I fell pregnant and my family wants me to abort the child. But I want to keep it so I had to leave so they wouldn't harm it."

It was all a lie. She just felt the need to tell Julitta something about herself since the girl has been talking non stop.

Julitta held her hand softly. "As a warrior, we aren't always allowed to show any form of emotion but this one got to me."

Diana offered her a smile. "I think I need to sleep. The meal was quite heavy and now I'm feeling rather drowsy."

"You don't seem to have slept well in the past few days as well." Julitta had observed that Diana's eyes dropped with each story she told and she suspected that the lady hadn't had a good rest.

"Yes. Been on this train for two days now and I couldn't sleep because I'm very conscious of the unfamiliar people around me."

Julitta understood. "Well as a soldier, I can stay up, watching you for the entire night and I wouldn't sleep a wink."

"Really?" Diana gasped.

"No." Julitta giggled. "I can only promise to not sleep deeper than you."

Diana scrunched up her nose. She stifled a yawn.

"Go to sleep, Diana." Julitta urged. Diana didn't fight the sleep, she laid down on the wooden seat that had metal rims and closes her eyes to sleep, forgetting the uncomfortable situation she was in. Now that she had someone to watch her, she could comfortably sleep even in an uncomfortable chair.

In a dimly lit room, two shadows could be vaguely seen, they were as still as statues. Because that was what they were. Statues of brave knights that graced the land of Wisteria. But more than tokens of appreciation and honor, they also served as a hiding spot for all the gossip that flowed in the castle.

There were two men in particular who served as guards in the castle but we're in disguise as spies to other packs. One of them was more than just another pack's spy but was also a spy for a distant country. His secret was known by him alone and no one else dared to find out what was going on in his life.

"Brother, we have to end this mission."

"Never."

One would only hear faint whispers and not see anyone. It made it seem like it was all a figment of illusion and nothing real.

"We can't keep up! It's too risky!"

"I repeat, never."

"What do you stand to gain?!"

"Everything. To see the foolish king die is everything to me."

"But you could die? What could be worth more than your life?"

"Hahaha." He laughed. "You amuse me brother. Haven't you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"That everything is gained to a man who takes risks. Even to die is gain. Death is the greatest gain to mankind."

"We are not men."

"Even better brother. We cannot die."

"Hm. I sincerely do hope that you know what you are doing. I have taken my hands away from this. I shall no longer be a spy."

"Once a spy, always a spy."

"I quit."

"You better not blab. Don't snitch cause you will hate the outcome."

The whispering stopped. Only the faint sount of a ragged breathing. Then footsteps echoing the passage, becoming even more faint until it disappeared totally.

Calhoun awoke in his chamber, his gaze coming in contact with Pat's face. He scowled slightly.

"Who are you? Where's Diana?"

"Will you ask this everytime you awake, my king?"

"Yes." Calhoun replied. "Have you made my bath water? Taking out my clothes? How about my food? Wine?"

"Sire, I "

"I don't have to remind you everyday, Pat. If you are not capable of doing any of these then you might as well tell me and we can bring you a replacement." Calhoun said.

"I doubt anyone could handle your temperament like I can." Patricia said. She had assumed that since Calhoun had been a little calm with her, she could do as she liked.

"Shut the fuck up, fool! Everyone is dispensable! Everyone is replaceable." He stated. "Don't think too highly about yourself. And most certainly don't ever reply to me."

Pat shivered due to the strength of his voice. She was afraid she almost cried.

"Get out!" Calhoun ordered. The lady scrambled out of the room instantly. She didn't dare to turn back to ask any question.

Calhoun went into the bathroom and relaxed in the shower. Everytime he closed his eyes, his mind was plagued by thoughts and visions of Diana. He would try to chase them away or at least, shake it off. But they were just as stubborn as the defiance which she tried to hide in her eyes.

In all his searching, he never saw a time he treated her nicely. It was always the times where he mistreated her, called her names, embarrassed her, humiliated her even.

He sighed softly. "You could have given me more time." He whispered. "I have to find you!"

With that new resolve, he washed quickly and emerged from the bath, looking like a god in all his glory. He wiped his body dry and put on his clothes. A purple shirt and black trousers. He took on his golden robe and wore it over his clothes. He hung his sash around his neck and took his crown.

"You have to return and sit on the throne with me, Diana." He whispered as he placed the crown on his head.

He took out his shiny black shoes and put them on his feet. That was one of the few times he had to dress himself.

He left his chamber and went to the throne room. It was a huge room that had seven chairs on either side of him with his throne at the centre.

He was always sitting there, receiving news and people who brought news to him. If he needed to discuss with his Beta, gamma and other subordinates, he went to the meeting chamber. Especially if he wanted it to be secret.

George came to meet him in the throne room. He bowed deeply at the king. Calhoun stared at the man.

"What do I owe this early visitation, George?" Calhoun asked firmly. He could be weak in his personal chamber. He could be soft and whisper when thinking about Diana, but when faced with his subjects, he was the firmest man ever.

"Thomas has passed out and has refused to be revived." George said.

"He died?" Calhoun asked nonchalantly.

"No sir. The nurses say he is still okay and just needs to be calm. He seems to have thought himself into shock."

"Thought into shock? I fail to understand." Calhoun said, smirking. "What exactly is he thinking about? Diana?"

"Perhaps my king. But I was wondering if you could spare him a few minutes for questioning." George suggested.

"Didn't you just say he was unconscious and refused to be revived? How could I spare a dead man my time?" Calhoun demanded. "Is there something else I should know?"

"Not at all my king. The guards say they heard him cry for a chance to speak to you before he passed out. Perhaps if we could get him to wake up, we could get him to speak to you as well."

Calhoun scoffed. "Do as you please, George."

George bowed and left. Not even up to a minute after he left, Calhoun got up from his throne. He turned toward the passage on the left side of his throne. His guard made to follow him.

"Stay back." He ordered. The guard paused in his tracks. Calhoun continued in his movements. He walked down the hallway till he got to a staircase which he proceeded to climb. He walked slowly, his movements precise and sharp, to the top of the staircase. Once again, he had arrived at the top of his tower where he could see his entire kingdom in all its glory.

His eyes roamed the streets and the citizens performed their daily activities.

His eyes caught onto a strange movement. A man was being beaten very aggressively too. He watched silently as the other people beat him up and injured him badly. Calhoun was mute. The scene unfolding before him was something gore but he didn't mind.

What actually piqued his interest was the fact that the man who was being beaten was a messenger from the castle, and the men who were beating him looked like members from the neighboring kingdom.

He smirked lightly. He could pick up the patterned footsteps that echoed silently behind him. George was approaching, no doubt. He kept a straight face, still watching the scene.

George came up behind him, trying to see what piqued his interest so intensely. He saw the scene as well.

"My king, that's one of the messengers I sent to Sunshine town. It's barely twenty four hours since they left, they should just be getting there and not returning." George narrated.

"Your point exactly?"

"The other towns must have sent them back, refusing them the permission to pass. And this one might just be the cruelest, daring to offend you by beating them up even in our kingdom." George said.

"Blood pack, George. Those are Yara's guards. They are welcome to Wisteria, don't you think?"

George was confused. Not until he turned to see the menacing look in Calhoun's eyes and the bloody smirk that played around his lips. George gulped.