The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 51: Not Your Queen ()

Zariah quirked a brow at the male who lowered himself to a bow, she recognized this male as the one who had been by Alpha King Askel’s side all through the moon banquet.

Zariah knew clearly that this male was the second highest ranked wolf in the Royal Lycan Pack and considering she was currently bearing the identity of a head warrior,

Zariah did not see the need to be treated with such reverence by him, even with the prestige attached to the Crimson Wolves.

"I am Luther, second in command of the Royal Lycan Pack. I have come to pay my respects to you, My Queen." King Askel’s second in command, Luther introduced.

Zariah had only just gotten up to prepare for the day when the second in command of the Royal Lycan Pack had requested an audience with her.

Zariah had first thought Alpha King Askel had sent for her and was already about to turn him away, but she had stopped when Allen reported he came with company.

"I noticed... and my name is Zariah..." Zariah trailed off as she took in the three she-wolves that stood behind the second in command, also bowing low.

"Queen Zariah Torin... I am aware of My Queen’s given names," Luther replied.

"You can just call me Zariah, is what I meant to say." Zariah explained,

"It is improper for me to address the Alpha Queen informally without receiving consent form My King." Luther politely declined.

Zariah opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Darren’s voice in her head.

"The Royal Lycan wolves value rank and hierarchy is taken extremely seriously, asking him to address you on informal terms will require the consent of your mate." Darren thought to Zariah,

"Since when do you know so much about the Royal Lycan Pack?" Zariah thought back in annoyance.

Darren only hummed in response and Zariah scoffed inaudibly before she raised her mind block, effectively cutting off any further interruptions from her Crimson Wolves.

Zariah wondered why they were even hanging around her quarters, the only two who needed to be present by Zariah’s side at all times was Allen and Dionne.

Yet they had all convened in Zariah’s quarters the moment King Askel’s second in command arrived.

Zariah had noticed her Crimson Wolves had been acting rather strange since the previous night and it ached Zariah’s heart because she knew her wolves were elated their Alpha had found her mate.

And because they had no idea that between Zariah and Alpha King Askel, all that could ever be was a blood feud.

"To what do I owe your presence?" Zariah asked when the second in command did not immediately reveal his intents as though waiting for Zariah’s consent.

Zariah relented on her demand to be called by her name, she figured it was a situation she would have to get King Askel to personally take care of.

"The Alpha King is presently... indisposed, I came to assure you that he will be fine and will come to you as soon as he can, I hope you can ease your worries." Luther assured in what sounded to Zariah like a comforting tone.

Zariah blinked once and then again, she was at a complete loss on what to say in response to the second in command’s words.

Zariah could not understand exactly why he would come to reassure her of Alpha King Askel’s well being as though it had anything to do with her.

It took a moment for Zariah to recall Alpha King Askel had declared her his mate and Queen before dozens of people only but the night before.

To the Royal Lycan warriors who were still unaware of the event that occurred between Zariah and their Alpha King the previous night, they still remained clueless that Zariah had absolutely no intentions to be their Queen.

"He asked you to say this to me?" Zariah asked for clarification, the second in command shook his head.

"As King Askel’s direct subordinate, it is my duty to manage his affairs when he is unable to." Luther replied, much to Zariah’s bafflement.

Zariah wondered since when she became a part of Alpha King Askel’s affairs that needed managing.

"And I am one of those affairs to be managed, you mean?" Zariah asked in a chilling, cold tone.

Luther quickly shook his head in denial at Zariah’s conclusion.

"You are Alpha Queen, I would never dare. My King has ordered me to ensure all your needs are provided and I meant to say I apologise for my belated arrival to see to that order, I have come with three well trained attendants to see to your needs for the time being."

"When the flurry of the enthronement is calmed and My Queen has grown accustomed to the Ethereal Palace, you may then choose your own confidants."

"These three are conversant with every detail of the Ethereal Palace,"

"If it is no bother, we will immediately reorganize your living arrangements to the Alpha King’s Dome, I know your wolf will need to be closer to King Askel now." Luther adjusted.

Zariah broke into a coughing fit, nearly choking on her own saliva at the words of King Askel’s second in command.

"My living arrangements are just fine thank you, I am here as a guest so it is only natural I am hosted in the guest palace,"

"The events of last night have created an opinion amongst the Royal Lycans, I will speak with your King on this, however, there will be no need for any special treatments...I am not your Alpha Queen." Zariah clarified as she rose to her feet and headed out of her quarters.

Leaving a baffled Luther behind who clearly did not understand why Zariah would reject King Askel’s attentive care.

Zariah ignored Darren calling out to her as she stormed out, she needed some fresh air and the courtyard sounded like the best option.

This time, Zariah did not venture into the woods, she would rather not be anywhere alone where King Askel could spring up on her.

Although Zariah wanted to believe King Askel was not of such dishonorable character, the events of the past lifetime told a different story all together.

Whatever it was, Zariah had vowed to tread cautiously, all it would take was one moment of weakness and if she bore King Askel’s mating mark, there would be no going back.

Zariah unconsciously recorded just how large the courtyard of the Ethereal Palace was as she ventured through the pathways that were adorned by well trimmed flowers and small marble sculptures of howling wolves.

As Zariah walked, she could not help but let her mind stray to Luther’s words from a moment ago.

He has said King Askel was indisposed, Zariah wondered what exactly Luther meant by indisposed.

She did not believe King Askel was the kind that would neglect his royal duties merely because his love was rejected by a woman.

Zariah doubted he even had a heart that could be hurt so severely that he had been unable to attend to his duties today.

Thinking over this, Zariah soon lost track of time and before she even realized it, she had been walking for over an hour.

"Zari!" Zariah’s gaze perked up from where she stared down at a sculpture.

"The fact that I left and closed off my mindlink was not enough hint that I wish to be alone?" Zariah asked Allen and Darren.

"A missive arrived from the Floral domain! Princess Eloneth was abducted by a group of mermen and dragged down to the Sea Kingdom!"

"The Fairy Queen is raging, the emissaries from the Floral domain are demanding an explanation from the royal siblings of the merfolk whereas the merfolk denies any engagement."

"Prince Treyton has taken Lady Floraina’s accusations to be a defamation of the Sea Kingdom’s honor, the situation will escalate into a full blown battle anytime soon!" Allen reported in a grim tone.

"And the Alpha King?" Zariah asked calmly, although her mind pondered over the familiarity of this scenario.

Zariah was certain she had heard something of this in her previous lifetime but she could not quite remember what exactly she had heard.

"The second in command of the Royal Lycans sent a message pleading for you to go over, the Alpha King is raging and intends to break into the ancient seal of the floral domain." Darren added.

"The ancient seal of the floral domain..." Zariah murmured quietly.

Zariah’s gaze narrowed at the mention of the ancient seal as it triggered the memories that had escaped Zariah’s mind.

The memories of this event from the past lifetime, the unfortunate day a thousand Ethereal wolves were cleanly executed by the ancient seal of the Floral Domain alongside Prince Treyton of the merfolk.

Zariah recalled clearly that Prince Treyton’s death had tossed the entire supernatural realm into pandemonium and the King of the Sea had overturned the seven seas causing the death of thousands of supernatural creatures in his rage.

"Is this Ethereal Domain always so eventful?" Zariah snapped as she brushed past her subordinates.