Elora tilted her head puzzled at the stares.
Someone, especially seated in front of her, stood out from all: a regal, intimidating, beautiful woman who had previously been introduced as Daria, the Pack's Minister of Wellness.
The woman looked at her with a strange glint in her eye. But she quickly covered it with a polite smile when their gazes met briefly.
Elora shrugged it off as she looked back at her plate.
Azazeal had taken the prawns and vegetables in front of Daria without thought and had dropped them right into Elora's dish. He had heard about her love for prawns, so his mate could have whatever she wanted without owing anyone politeness.
Her dimples poked deeply as she smiled while eating, and his eyes drank the sight greedily.
When Azazeal saw her gaze lingering on another dish, he made a beeline for the quail eggs and stir-fried vegetables and placed them into her bowl.
The warmth of his gestures contrasted with the cold indifference of his eyes.
Daria's bright expression dimmed, contorting into something inscrutable, before she caught herself.
Unease began to creep through Elora, and questions floated in her mind.
Why is she staring at me like that? Is she one of those women who admired the handsome king? She rolled her eyes at the word "handsome".
A throat cleared and her eyes snapped to familiar green ones.
" Queen of Elora, I believe I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm Vael, Beta of the Crimson Sky pack, also second in command to King Azazeal.
It's nice to finally meet you."
Elora stared at him unsmiling, and Vael let out a small nervous laugh scratching his hair lightly.
"It seems we got off on the wrong foot, and I accept the blame for that, and I apologize my queen. Although I made sure to tell my brother to win you over and put in good words for me, I guess the slimy pup didn't do that. I'm not at all a bad person."
" Your brother? " she asked with a small confused frown.
" Yes, Casteel. Head of knights."
Elora's eyes immediately brightened at the mention of Casteel, come to think of it, she could see a slight resemblance between the two, they have the same smile, but Vael looks more mature and sharper at the edges.
"Oh, apology accepted " she nodded quietly throwing him a coy look, she couldn't possibly stay mad at her favorite knight's brother could she?
Azazeal stared unblinking at his mate as she discussed amicably with his Beta, he captured every slight expression on her face, every little crease in her brow, he was fascinated by the dainty figure.
He noticed her little dance under the table when she ate the filled dumplings, and he realized her love for the dish and made sure she had more than enough.
She also frowned at the taste of ginger, looking like a petulant child. He bit back a chuckle as he took the sause from her front and gave her some Chicken soup instead.
He attentively peeled the shells of her prawns and hardly ate himself
Elora greedily accepts every dish, eating her fill as they come.
She cheerfully grabbed a crystal shrimp dumpling. The fresh, spicy flavor made her squint her eyes in bliss as she enthusiastically devoured every bite
The chef did an amazing job and she had to admit they tasted better than the food at home at the Crystal Tide Kingdom
The meal finished up, and the ministers started to file out, leaving the hall.
As Elora stood to flee back to her quarters — Azazeal's hand on her arm held her there.
She glanced up at him in surprise. His hold was not forceful, but it was firm.
The others had stepped out, until there were only the two of them left in the great hall.
One of the maids lingered, smiling, and asked innocently, "My lady, do you want to go back to your room now?" She asked Elora
Azazeal's glare was immediate and sharp, silencing the maid mid-sentence. She turned pale and immediately rushed out without saying another word.
Left alone, Elora sat apprehensively at the table, her hands fisted in her lap. She was afraid to look at him, but she could sense his stare, sharp and burning, but she was unwilling to look back at him, not trusting herself from snapping at him despite her fear, the urge to run for her life clawing at her desperately.
Her breath caught as he stroked her cheek with his index finger. The gesture was so soft, so contradictory to the force of his presence, she didn't know how to respond. His finger dragged slowly up and down, tracing her cheekbone as though memorizing it.
She was confused when he tipped up her chin, making her look him in the eye.
" Please come with me to my chambers, I'd love to spend the day with you." he politely says.
His ears reddened as he asked, and Elora stared at him in disbelief, he looked uncomfortable and proud at the same time. It was rather endearing.
But her eyes dimmed
" No, I feel tired. I would like to retreat to my chambers."
" You're planning to hide again, Elora," he said, his voice smooth but laced with subtle anger.
She lifted her cheeks defiantly,
"I just like it in my room, Your Highness," she stammered, her voice no louder than a whisper.
"Or you just enjoy avoiding your husband," he said, his tone unwavering.
The words hit her like a blow. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. His hand slid behind her neck, his touch still disarmingly gentle, and he drew her closer.
His head lowered, his lips lightly brushing hers, close enough for her to catch the warmth of his breath.
" That's not nice Elora, I thought we already discussed this."
"I-I didn't approve of anything."
Her voice grew shaky as she saw his eyes slowly grow crimson.
The presence of his wolf scared her, she wasn't ready for a conversation with the infamous beast.
"P-p-please, let me go," she whispered, trembling.
A chaotic amount of fear and something much worse played in her chest.
Azazeal was overwhelming in every sense — size, strength, and his cold, emotionless eyes.
But what frightened her most was the idea that she could love him, that she could have fallen in love with this heartless man who had nothing to give.
Fear radiated off her in waves, and Azazeal's expression turned dark. His hold was still strong, but his wild eyes narrowed with the intensityobloody ocean, but a hint of frustration lurked underneath.
His lips curled into a snarl, eyes blazing
"I don't think you have a choice Elora, no hiding from me, " his voice was now an inhumane growl filled with intense possession.
"It might hurt me to see you hurt little mate, but I'll have all your lovely maids thrown in the dungeon and fed to the land crawlers as you watch them scream and beg for mercy."
Elora stared in horror.
" You wouldn't be so cruel."
His smile was dark, eyes lifeless " Seems like you haven't heard about me well enough. Sit one of my people down and let them tell you why I'm known as the demon wolf king."
With that, he turned, his coat bellowing behind him, while she watched him go, her heart racing in utter fear.
He shut the door loudly it sounded like thunderclaps and a shiver ran through her veins.
She was right not to trust him. He was nothing but a monster after all