Chapter 5 5. Step One

King Cassian let out a booming chuckle that sent shivers down her spine.

And not in a good way.

Gulping, she opened and closed her fist, her gaze settling on the table as she waited for his response.

From the corner of her eyes, she watched him lean back into his chair, his fingers on his right hand drumming against the table in a slow rhythmic pattern.

The hair on her skin rose as she felt his gaze on her. With a quick glance up, she caught his lips press into a thin line as he tilted his head to the side.

"Your sister?" His voice came out rough. "You surprise me,"

"It's an honor for me, your majesty."

"Hm, so you say." he said, his voice laced with doubt.

Her brows furrowed as she struggled to get a reading off the Alpha King.

"You ask big, Elana Thatcher. " He started, "I'm at a crossroads of what to think."

"About wha..."

"Is this foolishness," he cut in, "arrogance or just plain recklessness?"

Elana pressed her lips together, unsure of how to respond.

"But, you want your sister to be chosen? Why not yourself?"

"You already know who I am, your majesty," she started.

"I'm bonded to another. The bridal call doesn't allow married women to aspire for the throne..."

"And yet you have the scent of one who bears no mating mark." He growled.

A gasp left her lips at his words before she could stop it. Her eyes widening as her brows shot up.

What was she expecting? Of course, he of all people would sense that.

Sweat pooled around her armpits as she struggled to come up with something to say.

Think Elana! Think!

Whoosh!

Her breath left her, her back colliding with her chair as the King suddenly appeared in front of her.

Before she could react, he cupped her chin and raised her head to meet his. As he leaned forward, he tilted her head to the side.

"It wasn't obvious at first," he started as he bent forward, his nose lightly brushing the crook of her neck.

"Ah..." Elana's mouth dropped, her muscles tensing up at his closeness.

His scent engulfed her.

Then he took a big sniff.

Heat rushed through Elana's body, her eyes snapped close at the sensation that filled her.

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to tell?" he asked. His voice was a deep rumble that sent vibrations down her core.

"Hng!" Elana's hands clenched into a tight fist, her breath quickening as every hair in her body stood on alert.

"No mate mark yet your scent..." his nose brushed her neck as he took another sniff before continuing.

"There's another scent attached to you, yes," he murmured above her skin. "But, not blended together. Not in the way a mated pair should be."

Elana's lips parted as she pushed against the sensations flooding her senses.

"Why is that, Elana Thatcher?"

"Uhm...I.."

The sound of her name on his lips sent a fresh wave of shivers down her body.

Suddenly, his hands fell away, his presence and scent gone from her.

Blinking, she took in gasps of air, her arms on the table, hands fisted close as she struggled to calm the storm inside her.

"But, that's not why we're here," he added as he was back in his chair.

"You came a long way from the south just for your sister. You must really love her."

Pausing at his words, the corner of her lips twitched as she glanced up, "Is that what it shows?"

Nodding, she agreed. "Then you're right."

Yes, she loved Thalina so much that she would do anything to make her miserable.

His smirk widened, "But every other she-wolf has to earn her place as a contender to be my queen."

Crossing his arms against his chest, he continued, "But one good act isn't enough to make me fulfill that kind of favor. You will have to do more."

Elana clenched her teeth, her lips pressing together.

'He was lying,' she thought. It was clear as day that her request was very simple. Nothing too difficult for a king, and yet...

"I'll let you know now," he continued, cutting off her thoughts, "If your sister doesn't get through the trials, even your good works won't be enough to make me choose her as queen."

Her brows furrowed as she combed through his words. Was that what he thought she wanted?

"You can't force my arm into picking her..."

"Oh, I don't want her to be your wife, your majesty," a chuckle slipped free from her lips at the thought.

Thalina as queen? Never. Not even over her dead body.

Glancing up, she sighted the king staring at her, his eyes wide.

"I can't say I expected that."

A small smile laced her lips as she sat straighter, "I can't tell you everything, your majesty, but I can assure, that's the last thing I want."

"A chance for her, that's all."

'A chance that she would rip from her fingers after dangling it in front of her face like juicy beef.' Elana clenched her hands as the thought pierced through her mind.

"Yet, I can feel you want more." King Cassian's eyes were staring back at her. "Speak."

Gulping as her nerves finally settled, she said, "If it's possible, I would like to watch my sister closely. See how she fairs."

"Hahahaha!" Cassian burst out in laughter. "And what about your duties to your pack?"

Elana pressed her lips together, remaining silent. The plan wouldn't work if she wasn't close by.

"I'm curious," King Cassian started, "What makes you think I can't force you to become my slave, and do my bidding?"

Elana swallowed as his eyes glowed yellow.

Gathering whatever strength she had left, she licked her lips, her heart pounding.

"My King," she started, "aren't you concerned that I may retaliate?"

Suddenly, the air crackled with his power, the heat in the room rising.

"You would dare?" He growled, "Then your life is forfeit."

"And what about the princess?" She asked. The implication of her words hanging in the air.

Releasing a sigh, she added, "What I do isn't guaranteed, but the healers can find a way for her while I offer her relief."

"I don't want to use her, your majesty."

"Yet, here you are."

"Then, I'll offer something else,"

King Cassian's eyes narrowed as he watched her, "What?"

"I will remove the pests that hover around the princess in the palace,"

"Do you think you can handle the palace that's filled with danger you couldn't imagine?"

"I have some things up my sleeve, your majesty."

She caught his eyebrows twitch as he asked, his voice laced with wonder, "What are you?"

"I am a..." she twisted her lips, searching for a word, "a kind of seer."

"Really? "Then tell me who my queen will be." King Cassian demanded, a chuckle in his voice like he didn't believe her. "I might as well go and choose her now."

"Yes, but where's the fun in that, your majesty?"

The King's smile widened as something flashed in his eyes, "Elana Thatcher..."

"Solis." She cut in, "I go by the name, Solis."

Knock. Knock.

The door peered open as the elderly woman from before stepped inside, her head bowed, "Excuse me, your majesty, the princess..."

King Cassian snapped his head towards her, "Is there a problem?"

"No. It's just..." the woman wiped a tear from her face as she spoke, "The princess is awake and asking for you."

Her voice shook as she added, "She's even eating now. Her appetite..." her voice broke before she could continue.

"I understand." King Cassian cut in. "You may go."

The woman glanced at Elana, her eyes shining with gratitude before she stepped out.

Silence filled the room as the king scratched his chin, his gaze on her.

It was a gamble to assume the princess was the King's weakness, but Elana had no choice.

Her fist clenched as the silence swallowed her whole. It didn't matter to her. She was ready to use anything within her means.

"What you did..." King Cassian spoke up, "was it permanent?"

"No. The princess will still need more treatment,"

"So, you know exactly what's wrong with her."

Shaking her head, Elana answered, "I'll need time to be sure. I can't be too certain."

"How long will this particular treatment last?"

"This is the first treatment," Elana said, opening and closing her fist, "It took a lot out of me, so a month or more."

A chuckle left his lips as he said, "Then, you really need to be close enough to treat her."

"What about the cream you used?"

"It's a mixture of herbs and a secret ingredient."

King Cassian arched a brow at her words.

"Your highness, I can't give out all my trade secrets. I will lose my usefulness."

His smirk widened as she continued, "All this time, I've been plain about how unreliable my skill was..."

"Have you been now?"

Her eyes widened at his question, "I would never li--deceive you, your majesty."

"Are you sure?" He tilted his head, "Can you swear an oath to that?"

No, she couldn't. Elana pressed her lips, her head bent low as she thought of something to say.

"An oath is a huge burden for this lowly subject to..."

"Stop!" King Cassian commanded, "I've had enough of your flowery words."

Elana shifted in her seat as she waited.

Tap. He drummed his fingers on the table.

"So, you don't want a greater reward or anything else?"

"No,"

"No other requests can be added after this."

"I'm content with what I've asked for."

"Fine."

Elana snapped her head up, her eyes wide as she looked at him.

Does that mean he–

"My guard will lead you back to the bar."

At his word, a royal guard stepped in, a cloth in his hand.

Shifting her gaze to the King, she called, "Your majesty..."

"You'll hear from me." He cut in as he stood to his feet and stormed out of the room.

"Time to go," the guard said as he handed over the blindfold to her.

Gulping, she took it and stood to her feet.

In a flash, the blindfold was removed from her eyes, and Elana was back at the bar.

Her knees shook as she made her way downstairs and walked till she was outside the bar.

"Luna!" Dorothea called, running to her.

At the sight of Dorothea, Elana's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, the last strength leaving her body.

She had done it. She was successful.

"Oh, goddess! What happened to you? Where did you go, Luna?" Dorothea asked, her voice laced with worry.

"It's alright," Elana answered as Dorothea helped her to stand.

"Step one is done," She added, her voice steady as she took a step forward.

Looking at Dorothea, her lips spread into a weak smile, "Now, let's return to the pack."