3

With Arden’s long stare, Erina knows to herself that she caught his interest. He’s scanning her using his eyes critically, like a puzzle he wants to decipher.

“You can have her, my Lord,” the stepfather of Erina said carefully.

“Father!” Erina called unbelievably.

Hah. With his look, I know this is gonna be easy. She thought to herself as she continue to look scared and against her step-father’s decision.

“Virgin you say?” Arden asked.

“Yes, my lord,” the dirty old man said.

The royalties who were watching Erina started whispering. Some kings are showing their disappointment while looking at Arden in a disheartened way.

Arden stood straight and ordered the right hand of his mother.

“Give the amount he wants and take the girl into her room,” Arden said.

Mrs. Gunner stood unbelievably. She pulled the sides of her long gown skirt and went down.

“Arden. What are you talking about? You can’t just…” Mrs. Gunner looked at the lady who was pulled up by the servant.

“She’s not royalty, Arden. She’s so…” Mrs. Gunner couldn’t name it.

“I didn’t say I’m gonna marry royalty, Mama,” Arden said coldly.

His mother looked at Erina. There’s something about her that gives her chills.

“What’s your kind?” she asked in a stern voice.

“We are mortals, your highness,” her stepfather answered, just like what they have planned.

Aurora knows that the Gunners won’t hesitate to kill a witch, especially Arden, the reason why she told Erina that no matter what happens, she must not reveal that she’s a witch.

Arden gestured for the guards to escort every clan on their way out. The guards marched in as they coaxed them to the gate. The others started murmuring about the decision Arden has done which made them shocked.

“Arden, consider the other royalties at least! You didn’t check the other daughter of the kings!” Mrs. Gunner said as he followed his son who was already walking out.

“Your mother is right, your highness! You must consider my daughter instead! The girl you chose to marry isn’t royalty!” King Rockwell said.

Some of the kings started agreeing. They stopped walking while the guards are trying to escort them.

Arden stopped in his trance when King Rockwell pulled his arm. He pulled his sword to the side and face King Rockwell while putting the side of the sword on the side of his neck. King Rockwell abruptly raised both of his hands, his eyes narrowed as he swallowed hard.

“Do you want to lose your head instead?” Arden asked in a deep baritone voice, his expression remained calm but the fierce in his eyes said otherwise.

King Rockwell shook his head nervously. Arden’s mother gasp. Knowing that his son doesn’t have too much temper, she already knows that no one can change his mind.

“Father, please!” Erina cried while trying to pull her pretend stepfather, acing her acting skill perfectly to show that she doesn’t support his decision.

“Go, Erina! You belong to the King now!” her father pushed her shoulder while his other hand was already holding the small brown sack with the payment that was given to her by the servant.

“Let’s go, Miss…” the servant pulled Erina.

Erina glanced at Arden and saw him getting pulled by one of the King. She saw how he swiftly pulled out his sword and face the king ruthlessly as if killing is already a peace of cake to him.

So this is the cruel alpha king huh… Erina whispered to herself.

“Let’s go, Miss…” the servant pulled her again.

Arden drew back his sword. None of the visitors talk again. They started walking out silently. Arden continued walking and saw Erina’s eyes on him. She automatically softened her eyes and pulled back while wiping her tears.

I heard a lot of bad things about him. He’s cruel. He’s the root of evilness. He killed our entire clan, the reason why some of the witches went hiding. He claimed our territory after the war and he loathe the witches so much!

Well then, I will make sure that his suffering will start today. I will make sure that I will grant mother to avenge our entire kind.

“This is gonna be your room, Miss,” the servant said when she opened the door of Erina’s room.

The size of her room is two times larger than their house. It’s spacious and the antiques looked luxurious. The king-size bed has curtains on each side and the high windows have high curtains too. She can see the thick forest of the Rockmount, the camp of the wolves, and the main territory of the wolves owned by Arden himself.

“Is this the king’s room?” she asked, her lips trembling.

“No, Miss… This is gonna be your own room. The King doesn’t like having someone else in his room,” she explained carefully.

What? I thought we’re gonna share rooms? Well, there’s a lot more time for that, Erina.

“I will prepare the tub for you, Miss… and while you’re taking a bath, I will also put your dress on the bed. The King might summon you anytime into his room. I must let you prepared,” the servant said gently.

Erina didn’t say anything and watched the servant go to the bathroom to prepare the tub. The innocent facade she’s wearing suddenly fell off. She looked at her reflection in the high windows and smiled cunningly.

Great job, Erina. You went into the den of the cruel alpha king who killed your entire kind.

After the servant prepared the tub, Erina went into the bathroom. It was spacious too like how she thought.

“Do you want me to help you take a bath, Miss?” the servant offered.

Erina shook her head. “No…” she said wearily, still determined to continue being pretentious.

The servant nodded and let Erina close the door of the bathroom. She locked it and went to the tub.

Now… I should talk to my mother and tell her the good news.