The Longing

Chapter 45

Those goddamn eyes.

It reminds me a lot like lavender.

A flower that blooms in a large field with other flowers, nevertheless simply through observing it, you can tell it's distinct from every other flower.

A flower that symbolizes calmness, peace, innocence.

I thought I was seeing visions. I thought it wasn't real, I believed it wasn't.

It's just impossible. It really is.

However, it completely ruined me when I finally met her eyes. She stood in front of me, holding her head up high as if those she sees are below her. Her eyes dancing with fire as she looked at me.

I was intrigued, a neighboring kingdom traveling to attend such a tiny occasion. I received no word nor letter about another royalty coming to the ball.

The event was small that they had invited only the King and Queen to witness me take a bride.

It's to also show my thanks to their generous hospitality ever since I lost her.

I clenched my hands, my mind getting occupied by her is always bad news. I'll probably kill whoever shows in front of me.

I regained control when a group of people passed by, their laughter bouncing around the walls as they gossip about their lives.

I can't help but compare Katie to them. As regal as they are with their movements, their dresses and shoes, it's different with Katie.

To her, it's natural. As if she's born royalty. Seeing her eyes glow purple, I now knew why.

I was no fool, but she treated me like one. She pretended she was someone else in front of me, as if I wouldn't recognize her.

When I met those eyes once again, I knew, she was the Amelia Lockett that I met at the ball.

The woman that had the balls to look at me, really look at me and say in front of my face that it's unfortunate to bump into me.

I huffed.

I rounded the corner, spotting the long door up ahead. and entered the room with dim lights

I found myself hesitant to look away from her. It must be simply because her purple eyes are royal, and I was naive enough to think she was not.

When Katie faced me bare, her purple eyes glowing as its specks of gold glistened around it, I put the pieces together.

The purple eyes, someone who's part of the game and has the guts to talk to me as if I'm no one of importance to her.

Shoving away those thoughts, I growled at the man tied to the chair, bleeding out from his nose and lips because of my punches.

Honestly not the time to get distracted.

"I asked you a question. It will do you well to answer it." I grabbed his hair and pulled it back, making sure his eyes are focused on my angry ones.

"I hate liars." I sneered.

"S-sire, I really d-don't k-know." I tore my eyes away from him and looked at my second in command. I signaled for him to hand me the blade on the tray.

He wasted no second and put it on my open palm. I turned back to the traitor and showed him what I was holding with a smile on my face.

"You have exactly five seconds to tell me who told you to release the gas inside the maze before I cut you open and pull your guts out." I tapped his bruised face with the clean blade, making him flinch in fear.

"Now speak." I pointed the tip of the blade to his abdomen, waiting for an answer.

He stayed quiet, still not budging. Unlike him, I have no patience left in me. After the stunt they pulled and harmed the daughters of the packs allies, I vowed I would make them pay.

Not only that, they made it look like I did it, tainting my name with their disgusting tricks. And of course, the people in this pack refuse to stop saying that nobody could survive that, worsening the situation.

I already sent a message to the girl's parents, letting them know what happened before they throw a fit or I don't know, break the alliance and go to war.

I cut open the left side of his abdomen, sending him a warning that I'm dead serious.

"I can use anything within my power to find out who it was. But I want to hear it from your own lips."

"I really don't k-"

"I could kill you this instant and no one would even know you're gone."

He sobbed, begging me to stop.

"P-please.."

"Wanna know why I'm keeping you alive?" I whispered, smirking.

"P-please..." Using his remaining strength, he tries to stop my hands, but I ignore it.

"It's because I don't want your mate to continue living knowing her husband was sentenced to death for treason."

He sobbed louder, the whole situation probably getting to him now as his hands fall to his sides, leaving a trail of blood on my own hands.

"Wouldn't want your children to know they lost their father, hmm?"

The thing about torture is that fear is your biggest weapon. You need to know the weakness of the person in order for you to get what you want.

That or just pure physical torture. I do prefer the latter though. It's rather, intoxicating.

"Why did you do it, Mario? Your father and my father have been friends for centuries. That instantly makes you family." I didn't care but I want him to reflect on his actions, see to it that he regrets ever crossing me.

I retaliate very well.

I played with the knife in my hand, my eyes focused on his resigning body.

"What would Maria think if she knew of this?"

"Please don't tell her, I beg of you." He cried, tears spilling from his bruising eyes. His whole body shook with fear and sadness after hearing about his wife.

I scoffed. "Too late."

Before I could cut him open, someone banged on the metal door. I grunted in annoyance and signaled for them to open it.

Derek came in with a scowl on his face. "What the hell are you doing? Ask nicely." He pushed me away and stood in front of Mario.

"Hey dude, I don't know you and I don't like you for activating the gas, but I don't want my friend killing an innocent man. Who told you?" Derek asked with his low voice. It was threatening but you can find comfort in bits of it.

Derek isn't one of us. We were raised as animals so we grew up wildy. Derek had time to escape his duty, that also means he left our tradition and beliefs.

He's a lot different from us but not that different. You can still see the traits of a werewolf from him but the human side is more dominant.

With more training, he'll awake his wolf side more and it will dominate the human. This way, he can lead properly beside me.

"Please, don't touch my family. I beg of you."

"Nobody will touch your family unless you give the information we need. Please, this is for everyone's sake, not just for yours."

Mario's sobbed went quiet, only sniffing can be heard now but his head was bowed.

It was too heavy with guilt to be lifted.

"I-it was Daniel."

Bingo.

I wasted no time in that dark room and I'm now walking towards one of the rooms where the hosts are currently in.

I pulled the knob and broke the hinges which I didn't give a fuck about. I'm too angry about the sudden changes in the games that I directed myself towards one of the host. "Do not release anymore gas in the maze."

"S-sire, w-we c-cannot be-because..."

"Speak properly or you'll have a proper reason to stutter."

"All the g-gas is already released, half of the maze is already c-covered in it."

I felt my blood boil. "And it is without my knowledge. I see that you have forgotten your place, Daniel of the Kalisto pack."

I turned my head towards the person behind this stuttering mess. There stands the real culprit.

"Alpha, let me explain." He chuckled nervously, looking anywhere but my eyes.

"If they were just gonna get lost in the maze, where's the fun in that? I added the gas so that those little ants will look good in front of the camera. The High Society demands entertainment, I gave them one."

I growled in pure rage.

"You do not decide that. I do. You are not the one looking for a bride, I was.

You are not the Alpha of this pack, I am.

Think twice before you do things because you know damn well where you stand.

" Pushing the guy in front of me to the side, I stepped closer to Daniel, the command in my tone showing.

My wolf was angry not only because it caused harm to the women, but because I have been disobeyed by a mere member of my pack.

And no one takes disrespect lightly. Especially me.

I grabbed him by the collar and held him up, he looked at my eyes and I saw the fear in his eyes for the first time since I've opened the door.

"Listen here, pup. I accepted you inside my territory because you looked helpless and broken. I saw potential in your eyes and it made me think that you're something."

"I'm s-sorr..." He choked on his words, my grip on him tightening.

"I do not care for your apologies. What's done is done. And you know what happens to people who disobey me, you've seen it firsthand."

I'm going to tear him apart, show him that disobedience has no place in my pack, nor does he.

I found Daniel when he was only a century old, gave him a roof to protect him from the outside, I gave him food so his stomach won't growl and eat him away.

I gave him a home so that he could experience a family and friends, I gave him life and this is how he repays me.

Before I'm able to do anything, Derek came barging in the room.

"Alpha, I know it's a bad time but your presence is needed downstairs."

"Why?" Growling in frustration, I put Daniel down and he lands with a thud.

Everything keeps getting in my way. Huffing, I turned to my Beta.

"Stop your huffing and listen. A meeting has been called. You, the royals and the players are to be there as soon as possible." He explained.

I reign in my huff, sighing, and turned to Daniel with intent on giving him a piece of my mind.

"You and I are going to talk like adults when I get back. If you try to run, I'll hunt you down and feed you to the rogues."

Daniel nodded hesitantly and bowed his head, never looking up. How I wish I could crush him right now.

One moment I was in my room, and then the next, I'm elsewhere as if I'm teleporting to places.

If I had powers like that, I'd scare the shit out of my sister. I chuckled at the thought. It vanishes as soon as I look around.

It's always like this. I'm always alone in the same forest, over and over. It's like she's doing it on purpose and puts me here just because she can.

When I get my hands on her, I'll rip her to shreds.

I sigh as I walk around aimlessly, not really knowing what to do since she's the one controlling this world.

Wherever this is, it's definitely not in my mind. I'd recognize the forest if it was from my own experience. But it's not.

"Katie." A haunting voice emerges from behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

Now I might not be afraid of getting shot, but holy shit am I afraid of fucking ghosts.

I turn slowly, expecting something or someone to pop up immediately, to my surprise, there's nothing but the wind howling.

"Where are you?" I said breathlessly, as if I've been running for the past few minutes.

"You already know where." It answers, or she.

I squinted my eyes at nothing, but I know she can see it, I just can't see her. "What the fuck do you want?"

"You're asking the wrong questions, Katie." I blew out a breath, she just won't stop.

"I think that's the right fucking question since you keep messing with my dreams, fucker." The bitch just laughs as if we're friends and joking around.

"Show yourself. I might not see you but I'll do whatever it takes to make you bleed." I threaten, feeling the chill in my bones as the atmosphere around me changes.

It chuckles. "You'd think I'm stupid enough to show my true self to you? Think again."

"Yeah, right. Bet you're ugly."

"Manners. You'll learn who I am soon, just remember to not push me away and trust me." She answers back, but there was a pleading tone in her voice.

I sigh deeply. "Then what? How can I trust you if I can't see you?"

"Earn it." As soon as those words floated around me, the wind grew stronger, hitting me full force. I gasped as it took me with it and got fucking pushed to the fucking ground.

I screamed so loudly I'm afraid I broke my vocal cords.

"Stop killing me, you bitch." I groaned, touching the back of my head. When I fell to the ground, it felt so fucking real. I felt the crack in my skull before waking up.

I thought I died, my heart even did a backflip and it's making me angry. I'm gonna rip her hair off her fucking head when I see her.

A knock came from the door, then a voice follows.

"Good evening Miss, you are called to a meeting."

Fucking great.

"Okay, let me get this fucking straight." I winced as Sen spoke too close to my ear.

"The High Society approved of such a performance and what? Give them another entertainment the next games? Are they fucking psychopaths or pure animals?"

"Technically, you guys are werewolves." Sen gave me the 'shut up' look and I hold my hands up mockingly.

But Van was ready to fight anyone, that's for sure.

After the meeting, I told them everything that has been discussed. Everything, including the part where we're an entertainment for them.

Those bastards, they were grinning as they spat those words out of their mouths.

I snorted. "If they want entertainment, all they need to do is fucking ask. I'm sure those desperate bitches that want to win the Alpha's heart can do anything."

Sen hit my shoulder. I glared at her, faking the hurt. "Language, please. Also, they're not that desperate to be a form of entertainment."

My eyebrows furrow. "What does that mean? Signing up to fight for something that's not yours is desperate, so yes, it's a form of entertainment already. If they didn't know that, then they wouldn't be here."

"They're here because they want power, Katie." Sen said.

I glared at her. "Yeah, I know. What more if they give the High, whatever it is, the entertainment they want? Power will shift, people will change sides."

Van spoke as well, "If you entertain them properly enough, they will want to pick you and would force you to their sides. Nothing but a pawn in the board, moving whenever they want you to."

Harsh but true, I'd rather fight back than let a chain dangle around me, no fucking way. Besides, if they come anywhere fucking near me, I'll put a bullet through their heads before they can blink.

I don't care if they're werewolves or aliens or fucking vampires, I'll pull the trigger and watch as the light leaves their eyes.

I've done it before, I won't hesitate to do it again if it means I'll be out of their radar. Though thinking about killing one of them might put me in the bad radar.

Shit.

Sen sighed deeply, her eyes closed. "If she was here, there would be no throne to take over nor people desiring what they cannot have. This is such a mess."

Van looked at her sister in pity, he must still be seeing the girl with her little sister, happily playing outside or doing something that'll get them told off but still doing it.

I sometimes wonder how she coped with the loss. She never told me how sad she was or how long she mourned for her friend. If you look at Sen closely, there's nothing behind her eyes, it's sometimes blank as if she's physically present but she's not really here.

The other times though, it just twinkles with mischief and anger whenever I do stupid shit in the games.

"Why is he hosting this anyway? I've been dying to fucking ask, so spare me this. If he loved her so much, why isn't he doing anything to stop it?"

Sen kept quiet, her eyes never meeting mine. I turn to Van who looks at me sheepishly before speaking.

"He is unable." He gulps. "The Crown demands it, the High Society as well. He needs to rule, and if he needs to rule, he will need someone by his side."

"It's always those people in power that demand to have everything even though they're already at the top. He can rule the fucking pack himself, he doesn't need a woman to do his bidding." I hissed.

"It's not about that, Katie. It has always been tradition that no one shall rule alone." Sen finally looked at me, her bottom lip trembling as she spoke, as if the words are hard enough to form, let alone speak them out.

"The burden is too much for one person, let alone someone like the Alpha. He even decided to burn this place to the ground when my friend was gone, he said there's nothing of importance here so why should it matter if it stands or falls." She sniffed.

Crazy motherfucker.

"She's not here anymore so someone has to take over for her, shoulder the burden. Kings aren't born to rule alone. A Queen must be by his side."

What?

"A King?" I asked in confusion.

"I apologize. I meant, a leader. The Alpha and the King has been together far longer than I've seen, I confuse one with the other because of how equal their strengths are." Van shrugged nonchalantly.

I squint my eyes at him. Time will tell. I won't pressure him but I'll keep watching, I always do.

"Back to the topic at hand," Sen snaps out of her thoughts, turning her focus to us. "People should be given a chance to prove themselves worthy of such power."

I scoffed in annoyance, this conversation is actually pissing me off, which is not good because if I'm pissed off, I either want to hit someone or shoot a target, preferably an Alpha.

I cleared my throat, controlling my temper. I need to understand and accept what knowledge I acquire if I need to survive, everything is about information and survival now, for me.

I can't be close-minded about any of this, I need to stop my emotions controlling my decisions and thoughts, that's such a pain in the ass which I will not tolerate.

"I mean, why should you even given a chance to have it if they really cared for her? I don't think she'd want this if she was here."

Sen shrugged, nothing to say. Van was the one who said, "She's not here now, we can't do anything. Go clean up before the game starts, wouldn't want you to look like that while being on the big screen." He points at my body, looking me over and scrunching his nose as if disgusted.

The audacity. "I'll skin you alive, bastard." I abruptly stood up, marching towards him.

"On the bright side, they can't smell you from it." He winks at me and turns, and before I could reach him, he ran out of the room like his ass was on fire.

Sen laughed behind me, the sound echoed around the room as if it was mocking me. I inhaled deeply, calming myself.

Patience.

For someone who's human, I have one hell of a stamina. My training days are paying off. I should definitely up my sets.

As I look at the mirror in front of me, I've noticed the changes in my body.

My hair is now longer, with the absence of cutting.

My arms were growing, muscles forming, it's small but it's there.

My legs weren't always this big, it looks like I've gained muscle there too.

It's all that damn running. It's not hard to notice your own body changing.

I sigh as I put my armor on. This game better be fucking over with me surviving it. If I fucking die in this round, I'd dig my own grave because of embarrassment. I cringe inwardly.

I head out as soon as I finish putting my clothes and weapons on. Excited to get this thing to go on so I could finally have some action.

Staying in the manor without the sound of guns going off or violence surrounding me is such a bore, imagine me being in peace?

I snort, never in a goddamn millions years did I see myself lazy on a bed because they can't keep their dicks to their pants.

Ha, Sen would lose her hair hearing me say that.

"Good evening, ladies. Welcome to the games." The speaker boomed above us as soon as we entered the hall.

A fucking hall. Not a revolving platform, no ribbons nor a maze. A normal hall with a normal round table and normal chairs surrounding it.

The fuck are they playing at now?

"Take a seat, please. We all know how tired you are." His chuckle can be heard from the microphone even though he attempted to hide it.

Asshole. When I find out who you are, I'll laugh in your face as I stuff your mouth with fucking rocks. Better yet, your own fucking piss.

I blinked in shock. I have never in my life, been that violent, let alone think so much about how to make someone feel like hell.

I should go to a therapist.

"Lovely. Let us begin the games!" He shouts as if we can't hear him. "We do apologize if you were disappointed with not much action in the field. However, this game is much more interesting." He chuckles.

"My co host here likes a lot of riddles." A tap can be heard from the microphone. "His mother is also a seer that sees the future but unable to recall it, so she notes it down on a piece of paper."

"Show us, boy." A shuffle is all we heard before a voice comes through. This one is much softer, he sounds like a kid.

"There are papers under your chairs. Each paper is different from the other. You are not able to help each other and your answers depend on your own knowledge. There is a five feet space between each of you to avoid any form of cheating." He says.

"This is all about the strength of one's mind. Not just anyone can rule. You need to be smart, strong and above all, observant." He ends his talk with that and I think he hands back the microphone to the asshole.

"Well, that seems like a challenge to me. Seer riddles are hard to read. But fret not, once you see it, you take it. Good luck, your future is in your hands!" The crowds are probably having the time of their life right now.

I reach under my chair and pull the paper out, holding it in front of me. I'm nervous, not because I don't want to know the future, but I'm really bad at riddles.

I unfold it and read the words carefully. My eyes widen as I read the riddle word by word. You gotta be fucking kidding me.

I closed my eyes in frustration, crumbling the paper in my hand. As if that's important right now. It probably is but I don't care.

I open my eyes and observe the others. I started with Abbigail, her lips playing a smile. I know she's smart, so I doubt she would never pass.

It amazes me how she's still here despite everything that was thrown at us. I mean, I'm one to talk, I almost died like three times but still besides the point.

She looks very demure, one that attends a party full of rich people with their long ass gowns and fancy shoes. She's like a princess, I can't point it out.

I look away before my mind takes over and demand an answer if she's a princess or not. What? I'm curious.

I turned to look at the others, confusion in theirs.

There's one person in particular that stands out, her eyes widened like saucers as she stares at her own paper, her hands shaking in fear.

Mirroring my own gaze.

"Hey, wanna switch papers?" I smile at her, only to be left with a scoff and a roll of eyes. I'll rip those out soon if they don't stop doing that.

I asked the two people beside me already but they both refused. Cursing me, saying that my paper is my destiny.

In human's term, it means I'm facing death and I don't have an escape route.

I'm so fucked.