TWO IMPORTANT THINGS: Hello! I have completely outlined this story and it is going to be AROUND a total of 35 chapters so we are getting pretty close to the ending, unfortunately. ANOTHER exciting thing: I made a book on my profile where you can post summaries of your story if you'd like me to read it! I truly hope you'll check it out because I'm interested in getting to see y'all's stories and works. The book is called "Sharing is Caring"

Chapter Twenty Three

Our dinner was quiet for the most part, Sage and Shaterria the only two attempting to converse. The King did not say a word while I would occasionally speak when something was directed towards me. However, it was not awkward but soothing to me.

I was now preparing for my night with the King, as promised. My hair was braided down for the night while I wore clothes suitable for the night. I found myself standing in front of the door leading to the King's door, hesitating before knocking.

There was silence before I briefly heard him say, "Come in." I opened the door, walking in and spotting him standing by his table, running a finger along it. As usual, he didn't bother with looking up once I entered.

"I have a request if I am to go through with this," I said, standing by the door, not having yet closed it. I watched as he finally looked at me, curiosity in his eyes as he tilted his head.

"You lost a bet, Rowan. You are in no position to make requests," he said but kept his eyes on me. I took this as a positive sign, conveying that he was not yet dismissing me.

I crossed my arms across my chest before saying, "I will keep you company if we spend a bit of it outside. I have-"

"No." This was followed by a frown before his eyes finally looked away, briefly skittering towards the window then the wall.

I pursed my lips together, attempting to keep from grinding my teeth. "I have to look for Todd! I will stay the night as long as I can-"

He interrupted yet again, his voice holding more frustration than before. "I have no interest in roaming outside. We are going to spend the night inside. That is final."

I clicked my tongue, looking up at the ceiling to keep from losing my patience. "You expect me to spend the night while my little one is out there? He could potentially run into someone who's willing to cause him harm. I cannot stay here and do that," I snapped, watching as his eyes flashed before he closed them.

There was a pause before he finally spoke. "I am no negotiating with a woman who does not know where her boundaries lie. You agreed to spend the night and we are not going outside. Is that too difficult for you to comprehend?" he asked, his eyes holding a small fire. My own narrowed, refusing to give in.

"I will not feel the least bit guilty for choosing Todd over a man who does not know when to give in to his childish arrogance. Is that too difficult for you to comprehend?" I asked back.

Without waiting for his response I went out the door, walking down the hall. We were both getting nowhere with each other and I did not intend to go without checking for Todd. I had foolishly attempted to reason with a man who did not know what the word meant.

King Sandalius moved in a similar fashion that a wolf did. Both creatures were silent in their footsteps, quiet enough that their prey was oblivious to their presence. I had not expected to be deaf to his footsteps, nor had I expected him to follow me.

I was surprised when a hand grabbed my forearm, whirling me around. I stumbled, falling against the King. As I attempted to pull away, he pressed his arm against my back, limiting my movement.

He was shaking ever so slightly and I could feel his chest rising and falling unsteadily. I pulled back enough to see his face where I could spot sweat forming along his hairline. His eyes had begun to change as well, the hazel color more pronounced than ever. I was not sure what was occurring, but something was happening.

"Keiran?" I asked, my anger momentarily forgotten. His eyes flickered down to me, staring for a moment before he seemed to register that I was speaking to him.

"You cannot go. You cannot break your promise to a King. That solely is reasoning for punishment, Rowan," he said, but even his voice shook at his own words.

I frowned, taking advantage of his momentary unstable condition, shoving away from him. He staggered backward, managing to catch himself before his eyes flared, his anger spreading and making his body more steady.

"Then punish me. I will see you tomorrow since you are beyond reason. Goodnight," I said stiffly, turning to walk away once again. I was at the end of the hall, opening the door when I could hear the grunting of a man and the tearing of clothes.

I paused, turning to spot the King. He was no longer human, but a large black-furred wolf. I watched as he lowered his head, a growl building in his throat. I continued watching, considering my odds. I could make it down the hall by closing the door on him, however, Sage had informed me that the only door that held the King in was the door to his room. They had yet to replace the ones in the halls so it was possible that with enough time, he would break the doors. Yet, it was my only option.

I took my opportunity, running out of the hall and slamming the door shut. I could hear him barrel into the door, its frame already giving way while he snarled in fury. I ran down the steps, opening the last door before closing it. I then found a room near my own to hide in, deciding it was safer than going outdoors.

It wasn't much longer before I could hear the front door being slammed open and then a howl, signaling the King's exit. I frowned, mentally cursing myself. He was outside, the very place he needs to avoid while he was a wolf. If someone saw him, they were not likely to take it well and report it to the councilmen who'd forbidden him from shifting outside. If the found out, he'd be dragged out and killed.

I paced the room for a while, allowing my thoughts to run around before they settled and I decided the best thing was to find the King. I did not want to be the one responsible for his death, even if his own arrogance had led to it. While I was searching for him, I could also search for my little one at the same time.

I went to my room, grabbing a jacket and well as appropriate shoes. It was cool, a gentle breeze riding through the air. Night had fallen long ago, crickets chirping their seasonal song. There was no lighting outside, my familiarity with the forest being my only guide throughout it.

"Keiran," I said softly, calling his name over and over. There was a chance that exhaustion had taken ahold of him and he'd already shifted back. I was holding on to that and hoping that he would hear me before giving me a signal that he was nearby.

However, that is not what happened. I spent hours searching, each one ticking by while my frustration grew. I could not spot any sign of King Sandalius or Todd. They both seemed to have disappeared, leaving no trace behind.

I found myself leaning against a tree, folding my hands behind my head while I looked up at the sky. The stars were out, twinkling and greeting me cheerily. Yet, I could not find the strength to return their energy. This night had gone downhill very quickly and showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

It was then that it began to rain, the breeze blowing the droplets underneath the tree and towards me. I blew out air, hugging myself but it was useless. Within minutes my clothes were wet and it was not soon before I would become drenched in water.

I began searching the forest again, retracing my steps. The temperature had dropped dramatically, as the coldness was no longer friendly but harsh and unrelenting. Just as I considered searching for Sage and asking him for help, I froze spotting a wolf.

He was standing in front of me, his fur completely soaked. His eyes were unblinking as he watched me shivering, looking at him. I walked towards him slowly, stopping when his muscles bunched up.

"I mean no harm," I said gently. I held out my hand, waiting patiently. We were like that for a while before he cautiously inched forward, his snout stretching out and sniffing my hand. His eyes seemed to register something familiar about my scent because he stepped forward, stopping when he was right in front of me.

I ran my hands through his fur, pushing the water out. When my hand reached his face, he leaned into it, his eyes closing. "You remind me of my little one," I said softly, a smile finding its way onto my face. I ran my fingers along his ears and neck, making sure to scratch both areas.

I pulled my hand away but before I could stand, he pressed his muzzle into my hand. I laughed lightly, speaking to him. "You're as docile as Todd, yet-"

My words turned into silence as I drew back my hand, covered in a liquid thicker than water. Even in the darkness, I could see the tainted red color and smell its sharp scent. I glanced at the King, only now noticing the hairs on his muzzle were matted together in different spots, saturated in blood.

I could feel a sense of dread settling in the back of my mind, screaming louder and louder. My heart stopped its pacing, freezing with time. Just like that, the King was forgotten as I stood up and began searching around us, looking.

When I finally found him, he was underneath a bush, curled up on himself. His eyes were closed and his fur soaked by a crude mixture of rain and blood. My vision was blurred by tears as I spotted the gaping wound, my emotions running wild. I could not tell whether he was breathing or not and knew even if he was, he was likely to not make it.

"Todd."