A/N:
Lalalala~~ So here is a brief warning and suggestion: This chapter may either bore or fascinate you, I suggest you read this carefully if you wanna understand the succeeding chapters.

This is important. 🐺

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SHEEP- A frail creature mostly affiliated to the big bad wolves told in old tales passed on through oral tradition.

Sheep.

Humans loved to call it our favourite prey, and it baffled me to an extreme extent why such a beautiful wolf would call her 'my sheep.'

Catherine Garrison looked strangely convinced she was to be called a 'sheep' in spite of her werewolf roots. Interrogation was troublesome at the moment, but I would have to remind myself to question her about this animosity some other time.

She just proved to me that this place was completely foreign and outlandish. It seemed as if I was transported into a new world or trapped in a globe of a different time. Most of the things I was accustomed to seemed senseless compared to the reality unfolding before me.

This was another piece to that puzzle called Apollo. That man himself was peculiar and so were his land and his people.

It was not particularly new to me to feel a certain need to unravel the mysteries around me, but I knew in my mind that this was something else. It was unfathomable and special, so to say the least.

Just a few more steps and I'd be able to observe and confirm a few of my general ideas of where I was exactly brought by my mate. Keeping my eyes steady at the straight path Catherine and I took, I allowed myself to carry out the remaining Alpha authority in me. By doing so, I could ascertain myself that I could face Apollo and his officials without getting humiliated once again.

Catherine and the guards behind us overtook my steps as we reached a wooden door embedded with carvings of the sun rippling with nine rays shaped like rapiers and knives. The observance was cut short when the guard knocked three times and the door immediately opened from the inside.

Revealed before me was a room of prodigal description. The colossal castle truly entailed chambers similar to this space heaped with monarchic paraphernalia. To a woman born and raised in the contemporary era, such vases, carpets, and gold- plated furniture seemed unnecessary and squandering.

But none of it mattered as my vision quickly halted to the long rectangular table surrounded by ten seats of werewolves with strong scents and auras I could easily determine as Alphas, of course with the exemption of a fearful head who was, by then, attracting me even without my wolf at bay.

I was struggling not to say the word. I should make it forbidden, and goddamn this bond, linking me to him and imposing such physical need to go near him. My eyes stung the minute I struggled to keep my stoic stance, fighting the hold his deep blue eyes were hinting.

The lodge in my throat felt stuck for what seemed like an endless torture of keeping my last inhale of breath. Both guards bowed down in respect of their master and left, followed by a retreating Catherine who curtseyed before her leave.

As the door closed, I felt deprived of oxygen, thinking ridiculously that it wasn't for free and my mate was willing to steal what was left in me.

We were similar to lions having a staring contest of who should get the gazelle. But when his eyes glowered in an officious shade of gold, my confidence wavered and I admit that I felt less of a lion but more of a prey.

His eyes turned back to blue, featuring a smile which didn't last long as he faced the major audience. With a tap and a point of his finger towards the seat beside him, a red- headed she- wolf dressed like Catherine pulled the chair for me. They didn't have to say a word because my knees themselves were threatening to buckle. I crossed the room and passed behind Apollo's seat, ignoring his warmth radiating from a distance.

I sat like a lady, channelling that Alpha posture. I clasped my hands together on my lap, underneath the table. The air was thick but I was starting to feel comfortable. They knew nothing about me, so they had nothing against me.

"Shall we start, my lady?" Apollo asked.

I was about to scoff or snort at his wry smile but I knew not to. And so I agreed and passed the smile back. There won't be a repeat of that humiliation, I told myself.

I just have to observe for now and see where this would take me. With my wolf hard to reach, I had the freedom to manoeuvre my decisions on my own. Now that Apollo gave me no choice but to live a miserable life with him and away from the pack I had known as family, there came this sudden purpose of trying to get back up on my feet again. I would bout for my title as Alpha and it would be my initial point. It was the only thing I had left and it wouldn't be taken away from me. Ever.

"Good," he remarked. "We need no further introductions, gentlemen." He eyed the males who sat rigid yet potent in demeanour, and then he clinched his hands together, elbows on the table, and fist tucked under his chin.

"You may have heard of who she is, and I would like to think you have clearer ideas of her apart from being one of the captives from the mountain." His voice sounded so amused.

I kept my stare on the little scratches of the dark mahogany wood of the table, keeping my calm as I remembered vivid images of that cursed day.

"We have, Milord. And it is a pleasure to meet your betrothed... chosen by the moon," the man from the middle said.

My heart clenched in defeat. I glanced up at him and studied his features, ignoring my need for reprisal. There was that unlikely rugged look for an Alpha, yet an astounding force was veiled, sweltering inside of him.

He smiled, probably noticing my assessment. I acknowledged him with a slight nod and glanced at the seven of them. Each man was different in character but they all carried magnanimous chakras in par or even more powerful than mine.

I noted that one seat was unfilled. They caught my judgments and soon, one answered before I could inquire. "The Alpha of Crux is out on an assignment ordered by Lord Apollo." He simply dismissed.

I did not miss the look he sent Apollo as it was one of amusement I could not decrypt.

"Alpha of Crux?" I mumbled and repeated. Where on earth is Crux? It was a shame to think I was worse than a woman with amnesia. I was the pure depiction of clueless and ignorant.

"Crux is situated in the north, milady. Not much of a land you would adore."

The most amiable of the seven answered me; his wild green eyes locked with mine as our seats faced each other. Never had I seen such pair of orbs that were ostensive as succulent kiwis. The longer I stared, the more I realized the danger in his eyes. I was the first to break the connection though his face would forever be etched in my mind. Have I seen him before?

"Gentlemen, we do not wish to confuse my forthcoming consort. I only intend to introduce you all to her before we commence with the discussion of our crusades." Apollo slightly shifted his cheek to rest on his right palm, jaded by our conversation.

He was beginning to speak as if we were really back in time. But upon gripping his words, 'consort' remained in my brain and it played over and over again. It was rare to see werewolves believing in the union by law and by God. Hence, I confirmed my earlier suppositions that this pack was grounded on the era of werewolf conservatism.

"Alexander, do the honour of beginning," Apollo said.

The man with the kiwi eyes stood and bowed to me, lifting his head back up with a smirk before proceeding. A worn out scroll was laid on the slab of wood and rolled out for me to see. Patches of land drawn in ink surmised the center of the page divided by a river and a sea, with letters that bore no exact same place on earth that I could think of.

"The map covers the Empire of Sidus, the land Lord Apollo inherited from his father, King Licinius Godfrey. 'Tis divided into nine territories from north to south, headed by dukes, earls, and viscounts who carry pure ancestral blood. Thus, Lord Apollo is Duke of Therion, the capital of-

"This is travesty!" I scoffed, interrupting his speech. How could I not? It seemed to me as if he was talking about another dimension, another realm! Was I truly going insane?

"Audite, Freya!" Apollo sneered.

"How am I supposed to listen to him, Apollo? I might have succumbed to insanity by trying to kill myself before but you can't make me believe in this story you all so perfectly weaved!" One fist balled, I smashed the table but did not break it.

"An act of treason!" One alpha claimed, pointing a finger at me.

I glared at him and dared him to keep his goddamned finger if he could answer my wrath. This man looked older and tamed before but now he was a scoundrel in sight.

"Calm your wits, Lord Horton. You must understand she was brought here unconscious and by force." The man standing took the liberty of continuing his speech. Though ridiculously confused, I gathered my judgment for later as Apollo sat stiff and I could tell he was at the verge of shifting.

"My apprehension of your mind set and confusion exceeds Lord Horton's," the green- eyed man exchanged glances with the fuming wolf.

"Heretofore, allow me to introduce myself rather than speak of what you would perhaps conclude as a mere 'story.' I am Alexander James Ashworth. Earl of Auriga. I suppose a foretime you discern that I am Alpha."

This man had a way with words. He sure waited for me to nod in acknowledgement before drawing himself back to his seat. The moment he did, the one next to him stood abruptly and did the same greeting.

Blonde hair, blue- eyes... a woodsy scent and the smell of smoke. "Gilbert Vagabond. Alpha and Earl of Eridanus."

Majestic, taut, sporting a scent of virility and youth; "'Tis a pleasure to finally chance upon your prescence, milady. Dilmond Grey Langley. Horolgium's earl."

I sat still, avoiding his scornful look, chin up I simply stole a glimpse of his braided beard and curly, ashen hair. "Simon Caiden Horton. Duke of Ursa." I hated the fact that his title was in par with my mate. Never in a millions years had I ever wished to anger Duke. But he was a chockfull of misgiving.

The thread of Apollo's bond wavered for a moment, electrifying me with his ire and dissatisfaction.

"And this is my son, Gregory Horton, Earl of Centauris." The Duke urged the raven- haired man to bring himself up from his seat. The way his eyes bore into mine slightly fazed me. Godly is what I would describe him to be, although his disinterest in introducing himself made me feel chary.

"My loyalty is with the Duke of Therion," said the man who cut through the tension between the Duke, the earl, and I. "Henceforth, it is likewise with you from hereon, milady. The name is Ulrich Nornwood, viscount of Orion." His seriousness stunned me. No man would reconsider his guess that he was a valiant knight, riding horses and winning battles with his lance and sword instead of wolf fangs and claws.

As he bowed to me, my neck released a drop of sweat, invigorating my soul whilst a strong sensation of submission acceptance packed me with pride. Harking back to my once purpose- driven life, I saw Hal in him and lost track of time.

"... Robert Walsh. I am earl of Circinus." The last man smiled with harrow in his eyes, or should I say eye. His chestnut hair was pulled back that his scarred left eye was exposed.

These men gave me the impression of fortitude and braveness even if their nobility titles were questionable. Somehow, a whip of dread and defeat followed the end of their introduction. Maybe it was for the reason that a part of me listened and believed that this was neither a dream nor a story they all interlaced to fool the already foolish me.

But I had to confirm. I had to ask and get my answers immediately.

"Tell me where we are, Apollo."

Determined and ready to face my reality, still with hesitations, but with clear need of hearing enlightenment about everything, I took an implosive breath. True or false. I care no more.

"'Tis nothing new Freya. Nothing beyond belief for we ourselves are of the same kind... unknown to most humans who call themselves the scale of normalcy. Besides, we all know we are uncanny." He held the connection tightly, feasting on the attention of my eyes drowning in his pools of bluish grey.

"We are in our true realm. The real domain of the first werewolves." His eyes turned dark.

"It might seem an illusion... a travesty as you have spoken. But 'tis the truth. We are the scattered stars of the universe, Freya. We are in the Kingdom of Sidus."

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Translation:

Audite, Freya! -- Listen, Freya!

Some might complain, where is the romance in this story?

Well, I know it takes me long to update this past month but I won't rush my story just to get responses from the heat of the story. I am carefully writing this and it takes a lot of reading and research to perfect the plot and flow I intend the story to follow. I'm not mad, and I'm not pertaining to anyone. This is just my hunch about possible complaints.

So where is the romance? Is this romance?

Ughh. I'm also getting impatient. I want to write about it now but we need to build this up to make it real.

Will we see the romance soon?
Just be patient.❤

And you know what, I think I'll start heating... Okay. I'll just shut up and write the next chapter. Haha.

Please don't forget to vote if you liked this. :) see you on the next update!

- Lady Therese