This one is dedicated to MY BEST FRIEND, Shaterria ;), whose birthday just passed. I love her more than anything and it's dedicated to her for allowing my use her name. Enjoy the chapter!

There stood Shaterria, the female whom I had briefly seen in the stables. She wore a formal dress, and I wondered whether she was dining with us. I was answered when she spoke.

"Good afternoon, Sir Coventry, Rowan. I thought the chef would have arrived by now. Come in," She said, bowing slightly before opening the door further.

It was obvious that there had been an attempt to clean up. Some of the destroyed furnishings were gone, but not all of them. There was even a wooden table placed near one of the large windows with four chairs surrounding it.

The King was close to the table, staring at the floor in thought. As if sensing someone watching, his eyes flickered in my direction, no longer unfocused. I knew I was supposed to look away, but my eyes wouldn't flee from their destination.

"Rowan, let us sit down," Sage said, his voice soft but firm. He lightly touched my hand with his and began guiding me in the direction of the table. It was then that my eyes finally fled, their attention turning towards Sage.

I could see the warning in his gaze, as if I had already done something wrong. I pulled my hand from his, muttering, "I do not need you to hold my hand. I have the ability to walk without causing a disaster."

"I am beginning to doubt that," Sage murmured back and I huffed in response, not bothering with a reply.

When we walked to the table, Sage was quick to pull out a chair for Shaterria, who replied with a thank you before sitting down. I grimaced, grateful he hadn't done so for me.

I began to pull back my chair but froze when a hand was lightly placed over mine, halting it. I didn't have to look up to know it was the King, who had moved closer without my noticing.

"Allow me," he said softly, his voice tame in comparison to when we had first met.

Instinct told me to snap that not all females were expecting a man to pull out her chair and in fact, some preferred doing so themselves. However, a single glare from Sage stopped me.

I moved to the side slightly, watching as he pulled out the chair. I glanced up and saw him staring at me, a thick eyebrow raised expectantly. He wanted me to sit down and give him my back.

I stood for a moment, reconsidering the thought of snapping at him, but it would do no good and probably keep me here much longer than I was already going to stay.

So instead, I pushed back my instinct and slowly sat in the chair, my posture stiff. I bit my lip when I felt him pushing my chair in before he finally left.

There was something about him that scared me, yet I couldn't place my finger on. It wasn't because of his animalistic side; that was the side I felt comfortable around. It was his human side that I didn't trust. That was the side that was unstable and more unpredictable than anything.

I watched as he sat in front of me, Shaterria by his side. She was looking down as if afraid to meet his eyes. However, the closer I looked, the more I began to think it was because of his behavior. Her shoulders were relaxed and her posture wasn't stiff in comparison to my own: she felt comfortable around him.

Sage had taken the seat by mine and appeared as comfortable as Shaterria looked. It caused me to wonder just how often they were around King Sandalius and how often they had witnessed his rage. One couldn't be comfortable around a man like him unless they knew how far his temper extended.

"How are you enjoying your time here, Rowan?" Shaterria asked, breaking the silence that had began to build and twist itself into another form. She was attempting small talk, something I had never found interest in.

"Tiring," I replied, not bothering with a more in-depth answer. It wasn't my job to entertain the King, nor was it my job to lie.

I could tell my answer wasn't enough from Sage's sigh and Shaterria's pointed look. I almost snapped at them, unwilling to sit in silence any longer; however, it was then that someone knocked on the door.

"I'll get it," Shaterria offered, quickly rising from her seat, walking towards the door. I could hear their hushed voices for a minute or so before the door was closed again.

I turned my head slightly to see what was happening and saw Shaterria rolling a cart in our direction. I could only guess that the chef, or guard, wasn't allowed in the room, which was why she was the one who was serving our food.

When the cart reached us, Sage stood up, preparing to help her. But she shot him a look before saying, "I'm perfectly capable of putting dishes in front of everyone, Sir Coventry." It was said lightly, but enough to draw a frown across Sage's face and a smile on my own.

I could see the King watching all of us quietly, as if studying our reactions. He hadn't shown much emotion this entire time but simply stared. In that, I was reminded of the natural curiosity found within wolves.

"I believe the chef told me that we were being served farfalle pasta with pesto sauce and roasted chicken today. Is this fine, King Sandalius?" She asked, setting the dishes in front of us, carefully and one-by-one.

The aroma alone was enough to set my stomach off. It was certainly more rich and divine than anything I had been served at home. I wondered whether my body would be able to handle such a feast.

I watched as King Sandalius examined his own plate, doing so for several minutes. I caught myself staring, awaiting his response. There was absolutely nothing wrong with his lunch, from my perspective.

When he finally responded, it wasn't what any of us had expected. "Rowan, do you truly believe this plan of yours will work?" He asked, his eyes still on the plate.

I glanced at Sage who shrugged, unsure of the King's reaction. When my eyes returned to him, they were met by a pair of hazel ones. "I do believe that it will help stabilize the wolf within you, yes. However, I do not think that it alone will fix you."

"Have you ever been near a wolf? They are truly mesmerizing. They have bonds that we, as a society, should strive towards," he said before moving his plate to the side, losing interest in what lay in front of him.

"They are beautiful creatures. I lived relatively close to a pack," I said, relieved we were conversing about a topic I was well-versed in.

"Then you are aware that wolves do not waste their time with trivial matters, correct? If a wolf within a pack is not necessary, they are killed or attacked until they leave," he said slowly, and I tensed, watching as he looked down at the food again.

"If this is a waste, it would do you well to remember that," he added before standing up. He began walking away and I watched, incredulous.

"I will not—" I started, pushing my own chair aside as I began walking towards him. However, Sage was quick, pulling me back the moment I stood.

"You are dismissed. Be sure to send the food to her room," King Sandalius added, and I started yelling but was dragged out of the room.

When the door was closed, I yanked away from Sage, my anger intensifying. I was not a subject that the King could just threaten and order around as he pleased. I would not allow someone to treat me in such a way.

I stormed out of the hall and down the stairs, Sage on my heels. He did not speak, but simply followed. I preferred it that way, as I wasn't in the mood to hear him defend his King.

I found my way to the temporary room and closed both of the suitcases I had opened this morning before grabbing them. I would not stay here, nor did I plan to help the King. He would continue down his dark path.

I started towards the door, but Sage stood there, silent and unmoving. "I will not be spoken to like that," I said cautiously.

His eyes softened, yet he didn't move as I would've liked. "Rowan, running will not solve this. He is going to request that we hunt you down and bring you back. If you run, I am positive our original agreement will become null, and your father will not be allowed to stay within the town.

Would you prefer for him to return to your home, alone? Would you prefer for the animals within the forest to continue being hunted down for sport? This option results in only disaster, Rowan. Staying here will at the very least provide benefits for you, your father, and your forest."

I looked away from him, too stubborn to see his reasoning. I cared deeply for both the forest and my father; however, I did not want to reside in a place where I would be disrespected. I had already dealt with a lifetime of disrespect and refused to do so any longer.

"Move, Sage," I said, my voice unyielding. I thought he would remain still and lock me within the room. I was proven wrong when he sighed and shifted to the side, looking at me with expressionless eyes.

"Rowan, this will do no good," he said, but I ignored his words and walked out, leaving the castle behind.