• • • • •

THE SMOKES OF HER IRE wafted in thick clouds, shattering the once sweet image of a Queen in my deck of cards. She had always been the woman with the crown and with a heart. She watched me carry my burden and supported me during those times I had been looking for myself.

She was the ultimate alpha female in this kingdom, treating all of us like her very own children. And now my picture of her was crushed by anger, smoothing with the blood- filled aura at her wake. Queen Robin of Sidus was breaking me; perplexing me the same with her sudden outburst.

"What have you done?" She repeated my words, moving forward whilst slapping me once more. "Must you go through with this mask of innocence, Freya?" She snapped, heightening her voice.

I looked down on my toes and my tears welled openly. I stepped back, not knowing what to say. What have I done for her to feel betrayed? The tangled tendrils of black hair curtained my face, allowing me to sob inaudibly and choking as thick silence hovered in the air. The queen continued fuming.

I was not making a sound. I was trying not to. But my heart ached, screaming a thousand cries as the burn in my cheek proved this was no dream. The Queen was reprimanding me for a mistake I had no clue about.

"Mother." The sound of Apollo's voice broke the glass of stillness. Fingers shaking, I wiped my tears as I felt him from behind. He was too close yet too far.

"I cannot believe she would betray you, rather, betray us and the whole kingdom!" Queen robin spat, doubling the hurt.

I looked up a bit from where I stood and almost flinched when I saw her staring wildly at me. She was unknowingly forming a bloody storm behind her. Her aura was untamed, gobbled by her angry thoughts.

Pointing her finger accusingly towards my direction, she continued her release. She was a loaded gun of ire. "I offered you The Crown of Fenrir! What more do you want from my son?" She demanded answers but I had none to spare.

She moved forward, reaching me. At each of her steps, I had taken the realizations of her words. She offered me her title but I chose to fight a lowly bout. Grabbing my face roughly with one hand, she squeezed her fingers tightly against my skin. With glassy eyes I watched her jaws as they clenched. There were still traces of the good queen, I believed, for when she looked at me, her eyes somehow softened.

"I have seen you in my dream." She uttered, as if talking to her daughter who made the biggest mistake.

"I believed in the power you would lend Apollo to perfect his objectives. You were only a child in my vision but I knew it was you- my son's mate- the moment I saw you in the village." She stated, eyes glowing in flecks of gold; hurt gathering in her statement.

"But you... you risked the chance. You wasted it!" She lashed, shaking me. I inhaled deeply, shedding my tears.

"Do you even know the implications of your decision to fight her?" She gritted almost crushing me with her strong grip.

"Mother, you need to stop." Apollo came through, calmly speaking to her.

Queen Robin stared at me, holding back her growl; I knew that very well for I betrayed her, nothing hurts more than that. The way her eyes bore into mine developed a strong sense of crack in our motherly relationship.

"If you lose to Illaria..." She paused, eyeing me. "You will never receive the Crown of Fenrir. And mark my word... You will never step foot in this castle for the rest of eternity." The queen said, crudely pushing me back.

Staggering, reaching for the the nearest wall, I closed my eyes and sobbed.

"Traitors are always punished in my lair. You are fortunate enough to have my son's favour." She muttered. Striding away, the queen left the room without looking back. With an incensed trail she vanished out of the door. Sadly, I felt our connection loosen like a reedy string that would break if pulled apart.

I slumped onto the floor, clutching my chest, finally crying it all out. Apollo just stood still, his shoes were all I could see as I sobbed and faced the floor with a heart broken by the queen.





"She cannot face the high court. You must consider her." Lord Dilmond argued as if their subject was not hearing them.

Cold towel touched my cheek as Catherine continued to pat ice on my swollen flesh. Lord Dilmond had been pacing back and forth inside my chamber as he lectured the duke about how he should've prevented this from happening. But we both knew everything was too sudden. Nobody predicted her knowledge of the challenge I sent to the Alpha of Crux.

"She challenged Illaria. She has to show up. Their paths will cross no matter what. Besides, her absence would give off signs of cowardness. Remember that she is to be my future duchess." Apollo retorted, leaning his back against the wall, sparing me a glance.

I held onto his gaze longer, needing him to realize that I accepted the queen's iron hand, recognizing fully my faults. An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth. The golden rule sufficed the gap in Sidus' form of justice.

"That is not the case, Apollo." The earl blurted.

"Her coming out of this chamber would be downright ridiculous and shameful! Just look at her, Your Grace!" Dilly pointed out, dropping a scowl.

"A noble face bruised by Her Majesty. What would you think the rest of the council would say? She would be her own humiliation!" Dilly's tone rose, magnifying his repugnance.

I gritted my teeth, mouth closed in dismay of myself. I did not want to be their burden. I had no reason to defend myself or my pride that Lord Dilmond implied we should save. For I committed this mistake, this likely crime. And if fate demands that this should be the punishment, then I would swallow every fiber of pride I had left for tonight.

"Give me time to fix myself, milord. I will face the High Court with His Grace. I know I have no redemption." I uttered, swatting Catherine's hands, tremblingly trying to stand up on both feet.

"You are not in shape to face them!" Lord Dilmond grunted, glaring at me. "The Ton is hard to convince!" He said, naming the crowd.

"I have accepted His Grace's hand in marriage. It is now my duty to escort him, milord. I know my limitations and I assure you that I can handle myself." I replied with confidence and finality.

"God, you are tenacious!" Lord Dilmond cursed under his breath, flinging his hands.

I grabbed a robe and walked towards the bath, ignoring the sight of both men in my room. With the knob clamped in my hand, Apollo caught my arm and he lightly squeezed.

"Et visum videre." He said, leaning against me. I'll see you downstairs. The words were nothing of comfort but his support proved to be existent in it, and so I nodded, acceding.

"Mihi crede." I replied. Trust me.

I did not wait for his reply and entered the bath. As I closed the door, I heaved a sigh and shed the last drops of tears before submerging myself in the water that soothingly touched my skin.





Shades of black and white.

Nobody stood out among the crowd in the hallways toward the feasting hall. All the ladies and gentlemen who arrived for the yearly tribune wore commemorative pieces in the same hues. Licinius Godfrey's influence was ever so present in the heart of Sidus. Had I known and met the man, I would have understood, but my will to try and blend in with these people seemed enough for Apollo.

Stepping down the stairs to an empty hall, he was by the end, staring out the arched window. True to his words, he waited. In all- black attire, his soul seemed darker, but the mate bond rescued his appearance. The specks of white and gold twinkled around him, making him the sole focus of my sight. To me, he was no longer invisible.

The moment he turned around, I gripped my heavy skirts tighter. The waves of his dark hair were slicked back, showing more of his chiselled features. His skin was neither dark nor pale, just in between the two. He looked to me as if it was emphasized by the darkness of his clothes. I had often wasted opportunities to freely study him.

When the wind blew, his black cape swayed. On to the last step, he reached for me, pulling me by the waist as he tucked me to his side. "You look wonderful." He said, leaning against my neck lest inhaling my scent.

How uncanny was it to be this close to my enemy? My beast seemed silent, merely observing in the recesses of my mind. It was I who felt the warmth and not her. It was easy to figure out the difference between our emotions and thoughts as my beast wished to be neglected, unwilling to accept that she was claimed and defeated by the beast inside Apollo.

"You don't have to worry about explaining those bruises." He whispered, not pulling away, just standing still with his nose near his mark. Very sensitive to his touch, I felt the surge of gooseflesh, unable to make out a word in response.

"The Queen is waiting." Lord Dilmond's voice pushed, allowing his presence to be known.

With Apollo's back against him, I peered over the duke's shoulders and watched my friend retreat with a stone- cold expression. Strangled was my chest, carrying the cross of naivety.

I couldn't blame him for I betrayed him as well. The Queen had the right to accuse me of treachery. I once believed I had given them my trust, but none of them were notified about my sudden movement against one of their alphas.

Pushing the thoughts of the obvious opponent, I gently stepped back and held Apollo's hand. No longer aiming for another dale of tears, I allowed him to secure my hand on the crook of his arm. Catching my drift, the duke did not waste a second and led us both to the hall to be presented to the Queen.




The feasting hall never looked so foreign until that important night. An enormously long table was set up in the middle, provided with what seemed to be two- hundred seats placed on either sides of the combined table. Though the streamers and flags remained black, the cloth they used for the table was red, signifying the bounties of the royal family.

I had my eyes on the Queen's seat in raised platform. Catherine once told me that in Her Majesty's presence during these significant events, she should have the highest seat to signify her greater role in the kingdom.

Lord Gilford stood beside the queen with his head bowed, careful not to violate due respect. Together with the knights of the castle, he was in the middle of announcing each guest who was invited to join the tribunal.

There were mostly couples from young to old in their finest clothing. The candle lights and chandeliers magnified the sparkle of their jewelleries. There was an evident amount of women wearing feathered hats. It was what Catherine suggested for me to blend with the crowd but I chose a tiara of ruby over one.

These people, I thought. Many of them carried none of the bright yellow auras I had witnessed in Villagio Lupus. The ambience they brought was in different shade, hovering in light blue, some even with flecks of white.

"Who are they?" I murmured my thoughts.

"They are the nobles of the Kingdom. The Ton." Apollo answered, glancing down at me.

I could hardly think straight as his gaze broke through my concentration. Instead of gaining comfort from him, I felt my pulse exulting, and my nervousness began to spiral.

I had nothing to fear, I told myself, because the Duke of Therion was my fated. He would soon be raised to the throne and be the kingdom's utmost ruler. He could be both my dagger and my shield. Soon enough, I would be satisfied with the reassurance of his protection. Hence, I lifted my chin up and cast a brief smile to His Grace before facing front.

"...and I present to you the members of the high court together with their families." Lord Gilford sustained. "His lordship, Earl Alexander James Ashworth of Auriga..." he announced.

Familiar figures arrived; first being the kiwi- eyed gentleman from before whom Dilly said was the second in rank of the knighthood, Lord Alexander. The potent chakras brought by each of the alphas were as overwhelming as the first time I met them.

My fingers dug a little hard on Apollo's coat sleeve as they assembled in front of the Queen with their partners or their family. My beast was envious of their title. Our blood pulsed together in the same beat.

My heart kept on racing as my eyes sought for her. Who could she be among them? With the vast combination of aura, I couldn't possibly tell who she was. What does she look like? I kept having that question. Was Apollo looking at her? The Alpha of Crux...

The insecurities and whirlwind of jealousy forced their entry in my mind and soul. Similar to a potion of awakening, my negative emotions tapped my beast's consciousness. I couldn't see the alpha female she thought of as enemy, but somehow I could feel her through my wolf's senses.

I relaxed, hoping not to light up the beast's will to shift. Observing in the stillness of the night, I kept my face held high until she was finally presented to the Queen of Sidus.

"From the southern land of Crux." Lord Gilford signalled. I held my breath and steadied myself.

A woman in majestic braids of light brown hair stepped in front of Queen Robin. Sideways, I could fully see her. Not an ounce of omnipotence blared from her body dressed in slick black gown. Fair and tall, she curtseyed to the Queen with enthralling gracefulness.

"Lady Illaria Roan von Vichtenstein, Countess of the Arctic." The headmaster announced with unchanging tone.

I did not even want to take my eyes off of Illaria and glimpse at Apollo. His mere aura changed the moment her name was said. A cut deeper than the dagger of fear sliced my arteries, scaring me even more. What was with Illaria that his aura from obnoxious black morphed into a translucent shade of white?

When the countess retreated, Apollo urged me to go forward. In the midst of a heart- wrenching event that put me in a disastrous state, I obliged, carrying myself regally as the people parted for us, keeping their heads down, some murmuring.

"Is she..." "Abused..." "An odd beauty." "Why is her face swollen?" "Is it true..."
I neglected their obvious gossips, and confidently walked with the duke.

"Your majesty, it is my honour to present to you, the Duke and future Duchess of Therion." Lord Gilford bowed to us without waiting, and I had no choice but to pass a look at the Queen whom I hurt severely.

With a straight face, she glanced at me, and I swallowed a little, hoping for the seconds to tick faster. The gasp from the crowd was evident but was expected, for it was only then that they had learned about the woman Apollo transported from a different realm to present as his betrothed.

You cannot be humiliated, I chanted inside my head. Not in front Illaria, I said to myself. She wouldn't win this.

With incomparable poise, I curtseyed to the Queen, exerting the refinement she thought me, which I could tell were her secret preparations in making me her rightful heiress. I would forever regret that I mistrusted her and everyone else. I would make this right. It was my resolution.

"His Grace, Lord Apollo Desarius Horton Godfrey of Therion, and Lady Freya Eugene White of the Far East Mountains."

Slowly but surely, I successfully bowed with grace. Back to straightened spine, I was ready to retreat, but then Apollo halted me, grabbing my elbow lightly with one hand. My sight reached none other than Lady Illaria who expressed not a tinge of emotion in her face.

To my left she stood, hands clasped down in front. With her near me, I could see the fragments of scarlet glowing around her in Gaussian blur. Apollo stole my attention by cupping my face, caring not about the audience.

His eyes were blue yet the orbs had polygons of gold mixing with it. "This is what Lord Dilmond feared." He claimed, pushing away loose strands of hair to the back of my ear.

"What do you mean, milord?" I asked only for us to hear. With his eyes on me, I had forgotten the existence of the watchful noble group surrounding us.

"They seem unconvinced by our bond." He uttered, rubbing his thumb against his mark. I did not question his statement and halted the incoming sigh.

"Just tell me what to do, milord." I understood him, seeking for the path of redemption in his enigmatic eyes.

"Abide by the tradition." Apollo answered, unbuttoning the top button of his coat.

Gradually, he pulled his cravat off of his neck, clutching it in one hand as his gaze never left mine. Touching my hand with his free one, he levelled it over his shoulder, resting it there with ease. Brows furrowed, my throat felt parched, his heat was radiating, clinging to my skin.

"Apollo." I was breathless. My beast was moving forward, leaving her cage, finding a mysterious opportunity from the gestures of my mate.

There were shadows of doubt lurking around, but my beast was besotted, not thinking, keeping herself at bay as I fought her will to go out.

"Mark me." The duke commanded.
And I found myself in shock, plummeting into a torturous pause of indecision.

• • • • •

Whaaaat?
Isn't it getting more and more exciting? Finally we have Lady Illaria and The Ton introduced in this chapter. What do you think of her? Impressions? And what about Freya's behavior? I'd like to think she is returning to her Alpha mindset. And before I forget, I would like you to know that I am going to write another werewolf book after Apollo. Since you seem to be enjoying this and I frequently update, I will give you a glimpse of the other story I thought before I wrote Apollo. You can read more about it in its own book. It's called 'Lykos.'

Just check that out in my profile. I assure you it will be as deep, mysterious, and a roller coaster ride like Apollo.

Here is the cover of it.

Comment your thoughts about the blurb there! It would surely motivate me.

Do make me smile and click the star on your screen to vote for my chapter. See you on the next update (Friday or Saturday)
- Lady Therese

P.S.
Picture in the media section is Queen Robin.