Zeidan followed the ruthless Alpha into the room, counting from one to ten several times to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.
Soon they were both sitting on chairs facing opposite each other, by the fireplace. From across the room, Zeidan could notice a wooden box which was obvious that people who are interrogated are made to stand in it. Asides that, the only thing he can make of the room is the high table where he was sure the Alpha of the packs would sit to pass his verdict.
"I have ways known you would come asking for help someday. You can't be the all-powerful forever!" Styx's voice jerked him back to focus.
He looked at the man before him and calmly replied.
"I have come to ask for your help, Styx," he rubbed his palms together, as he leaned forward.
"What is it you wish to ask for?" Styx leaned back in his chair, leg swung carelessly on the arm of the furniture.
"Zeidan?" He added.
"The...the Werecats, they're attacking us," Zeidan let it out but paused mid-air thinking of how best to say this.
"Go on."
"My men are less in number compared to yours and in terms of security, your army holds a great reputation for that. I ask that your men ally with mine so we can fight these Werecats and secure the long-lasting treasure that our fathers have bequeathed to me."
"When do you want my army?" That came out different from what Zeidan had expected. Shifting uncomfortably, he replied.
"In a month, as the Werecats have promised to attack anytime in two months."
"Two months?"
He nodded.
Styx narrowed his gaze. "I agree."
"Really?" He sat up, swallowing very hard.
Styx stood up and walked to the fireplace where a box was placed on the cabinet above it. He removed a sheet of paper and a stamp from it and went back to sit.
"All you need to do is sign an agreement on this piece of paper," he smiled slyly as he handed over the paper to the man before him.
Zeidan went through it and on the paper, the Alpha's scribbled writing sprawled on it.
"In honor to whatever deal is made, both parties are ordered to seal it by signing while the Alpha stamps it to finalize the deal."
"What's the condition?" Zeidan asked immediately knowing what the paper implies.
"I'll have possession of a quarter of the Onyx to improve the technology of the Werewolves. Under the law of this stamp, I'll have part of the treasure," he licked his lips as the younger man was beginning to get uncomfortable.
As less evil as the Werewolves may be compared to the Cats, he still cannot trust the Onyx to be in their possession.
"If that is what you want, I'm sorry, but you can't have it." He pretended to prolong the cooperation just as he had planned with Luana.
"So." Styx picked his words with caution as the Vampire King was beginning to rise. "You seem it wise to let your enemies defeat you and take over all of your possessions simply because you refused to give out something simple."
"It's not a simple jewelry!" Zeidan roared back but had to calm down as he exhaled, remembering the purpose of his visit.
Sitting back down, he faced Styx squarely.
"I propose something better. You'll have part of the Onyx but only till we defeat the Werecats. After the war, you must return the Onyx. To honor our alliance, I'll marry one of your daughters."
"Well, here's an addition to your lackadaisical proposition," he twitched his lips. "You'll do one more thing before I can release my army."
Dropping the basket full of her siblings' clothes on the grassy floor outside on the lawn, Lyne's thoughts wandered back to what had ensued between the strange man and her.
What is the man doing in the palace? Is he one of her Father's acquaintances? If so, she might be in big trouble. She bit her lips, her face looking worrisome.
"Hey!" She was startled by her annoying twenty-six years old brother, Charles. He is one of her biggest bullies and never ceases to remind her of how useless and irrelevant she is to the family.
His blonde hair sits beautifully on his head and although they're both not on good terms, Lyne will still give him credit for his good looks supported with green eyes and pink lips.
He was wearing his hunting attire and she wondered if he went hunting as a human, contrary to the rules of the pack or if he shifted from the hunting attires. But if that was so, the attires would be trashed by now because they always tear off. This is why wolves are urged to wear sheets or linens to cover their nakedness when shifting.
"What worries my beautiful sister?" He asked, tone indicating pure mockery.
"It's none of your business, Charles," she picked a blue sheet from the basket and clipped it to the lines where they always spread clothes.
"Just as spreading our clothes isn't any of your business. It's the work of the maids," Charles giggled annoyingly.
"But you all make me do it anyway," she shot at him before resuming her work.
"That's why you must tell me. It's none of my business but I gotta know anyways." He spread his hands as if awaiting a hug.
Lyne swallowed before giving in.
"I'm just wondering who that strange man is. Why is he here?"
"That I don't know. But I must say, he's not a friend to us but a foe. His people have caused more havoc than you can ever imagine. If you come across one while you're defenseless, they won't think twice before killing you."
"What?" Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how he threw an arrow at her. She could have been killed by a man whose looks she almost fell stupidly for.
"He is the King of the vampires."
"Lies!" Her eyes were now laced with tears.
"Oooh!" Charles whistled. "Is someone having feelings for an enemy? I've always known you're a freak."
"No, not that! He almost killed me, Charles!"
Her brother's eyes darkened and his fists were clenched for the first time. She saw her brother trying to stand up for her.
He turned and made his way towards the palace while she sat on the grass crying hard and wondering how she escaped from death narrowly.
She sniffled and rose, following her brother to see what he was up to but had to stop at the entrance behind him. They both stood there, eavesdropping on the King and Zeidan's conversation.
"I'm wondering why you want to marry any of my daughters." she heard her Father say to Zeidan who shot him a deadly look.
"That's because I'm cutting down on your interest," he replied tilting his head to the side.
Who will Father be giving out this time? Obviously as a prey. Her heart clutched hard and her breath held as she listened intently.
"Impressive!" Styx inquired.
There was silence for a while before he spoke up again.
"Who among my daughters are you taking? And I hope you do know she's the only partner you'll ever have. That's the vampire rules, I hear."
"Anyone of your daughters is fine by me."
Styx laughed heartily but his laughter sounded like poison and sounded more like a spear through her heart as she heard him mention her name. His eyes filled with delight as they gave unspoken words that showed he has now gotten what he wanted. The Onyx. However, he can only give to the Vampires someone who isn't worthy of staying with the Pack. Someone irrelevant.
"Lyne," he muttered and Charles turned to go, leaving her to her fate.
With her heart in her mouth, she slid her back down the wall and sat on the floor.
So as not to make noise, she bit her sleeve and sobbed hard.
What fate has for her with the Vampire king, she doesn't know yet, but she knew she will never forgive her family for leading her to the slaughter altar.