Four

RAPHAEL POV

A DAY LATER

“Majestic Alpha, we managed to secure the princess,” Johnson, my loyal bodyguard and a Delta in my pack, reported.

He bowed, his head lowering to his knee. I stepped out of the shadows, remaining concealed behind the curtains. I tapped my chin and nodded. “Very well, ensure she is received with courtesy.”

“But there is an issue, Sire…” Johnson stammered. I noticed his knuckles, now white, against the tiled floor, his hands trembling.

He was the most adept werewolf in The Blood Lust Pack, and encountering difficulties in his tasks was a rarity.

“Speak,” I urged, raising my brows.

“The princess insists she won't leave unless accompanied by her maid. Both were part of the same bid, and a dispute is brewing as they refuse to release the maid…”

“She stated that?” I asked, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

It was the first time I'd encountered such defiance in a vulnerable girl. It was an anomaly, and I must admit, it intrigued me.

Most women I encountered begged to be taken by me. It was a favor I extended to all, though I preferred not to trouble myself with those who might pose difficulties. Yet this girl was different.

“I wasn't sure how you'd react to us bringing the maid. That's why I deemed it wise to inform you beforehand. I d-don't want to get into trouble with you,” Johnson trembled.

“How much was the bid?”

“You need not trouble yourself with that, Sire. It's a paltry sum, and I was informed she was only to tend to the Alpha of Crestland's toddler.”

“How paltry is it?” I queried once more.

“She's valued at 200 Drachma…”

“That's quite low,” I muttered.

“It certainly is. I can convince the princess to come alone. You needn't concern yourself with the maid,” Johnson assured.

“I'll repay a hundredfold for the maid. Let them come together. At least she'll have a familiar face in this environment,” I declared.

Johnson tilted his head, astonishment evident in his eyes. It wasn't common for me to agree to such arrangements. In fact, I had never done so before. It surprised me, but the girl I had bid on, the girl whose face I longed to see once more, had become my newest prized possession.

The emotions she stirred within me were inexplicable. I was surrounded by women, yet she made my heart race for reasons I couldn't comprehend.

The first time I shared a room with her, my heart raced faster than usual. My throat involuntarily tightened, as if I were being choked. Even when I placed my bid, I was driven by some inexplicable force.

Still, I wanted her near, despite sensing she might be my downfall. I prohibited any tainted soul from entering my palace, and those found guilty were swiftly cast out like refuse. My prized possession, however, bore a tainted soul. I sensed it, yet I chose to overlook the signs my father and even the moon goddess had shown me.

The reason was simple: she made me feel something entirely new. She invoked both amusement and security within me.

“Relay this message to the Alpha of Crestland pack, as well as any other pack willing to listen. Not a hair on the girl's head should be harmed, nor a nail on her fingers or toes broken. The same goes for the maid. The princess is my prized possession.”

“I'll convey the message, sire…” Johnson affirmed before leaving the room.

I let out a sigh and moved away from the curtain. As the sun poured into the room, I winced.

“Damn you, Helios!”

“What has the sun god done to earn such a curse from you?”

My gaze flickered towards the source of the beautiful voice. Delicia, my precious Delicia, as I often called her, strolled into the room. She paused at the center and let her stunning white hair cascade down, just the way I liked it. Delicia undid the button of her robe and let it fall to pool around her feet. Then, she turned away from me. Involuntarily, my legs carried me towards her, and I gently clasped her slender waist.

"Stop tempting me..." I grunted, brushing my lips against her earlobes before gazing at her perfectly oval face.

"I am?" Delicia murmured. She twisted in my arms, her brown eyes locking onto mine.

"You are," I groaned, shaking my head.

"You could make a Greek warrior fall to his knees."

"But I didn't make you yield. Last I recall, you conquered my pack and claimed me as your prized possession."

"Yes," I nodded.

The events unfolded vividly in my memory. As the Blood Moon pack, wreaking havoc on my territory, declared war, I was well-prepared having received prior intel. The very strategy they intended to employ against me became their undoing. After seizing the Alpha, their king, my eyes fell upon Delicia, his daughter.

She was but a 16-year-old girl, a vision of loveliness. I found myself entranced by her captivating dark-brown eyes. Despite her omega status, her alluring scent set me on edge. Omegas were known for their low rank and faint scent. While it wasn't unheard of for a hybrid King to be fated with an omega, it was a rarity.

Yet, I knew I could have no entanglement with her. The disparity in our ages and her innocence were insurmountable barriers. Her beauty was so striking that it pained me to dismiss her, even in moments of frustration.

"I am twenty years old now, and still, you refuse to acknowledge me?" She narrowed her eyes as I maintained my silence.

“You are only five years older than I am!” she huffed and bent to pick up her robe from the ground.

I was far older than she thought. Apparently, no one in the pack knew how old I was, and most only guessed, while the others never bothered.

My age was a curse and I had learnt to leave it out of any discussion that concerned me.

“Goodness! I am so stupid to think I am attractive enough to get your attention. It seemed you preferred being with the other whores than me!” She glared and proceeded to the door.

“Wait,” I mumbled, and she did.

I stepped towards her and turned her to face me as her back was to me.

She lifted her brown eyes to stare at me, and it felt like she was searching my soul. “Do you still see me as a child of 16 you captured? I am a grown woman, and if you don't go in with me, how would I know….”

“Damnation!” I grunted. Then I cupped her face and closed my lips on hers.

The kiss was hot and fierce.

It was the truth. I still saw her as the little girl she once was.

But she was grown. Delicia was grown now, and I could have her. I said to myself over again as the kiss grew intense.

“Are we fucking in your throne room? Won't someone come inside…?”

I silenced her by sucking her tongue she slipped into my mouth. “No one would dare. Besides, I want you to see the heavens as I thrust into you so that I will be doing so elsewhere and not here.”

Delicia nodded, and she wrapped her arms around me once more as I carried her bridal style onto the terrace of the building.