"WHAT DO WE do about the Luna, Darius? We can't possibly send her away now that she is carrying your child.

But then again, we both know that aunt Alice would kill her the second she sets her eyes on her," The Duke Beta said once they were far away from the people and the windows were rolled back up again.

"I don't know, Noriel. All I know is that I can't let her die. For my child and for my wolf who would be most affected," the Alpha King responded, feeling somewhat unsure about his answer.

"And you, how do you feel about all that has happened? I know how long you have searched for a mate and how happy you sounded over the phone when she finally accepted you," Noriel said.

Darius sighed as he felt Noriel's eyes on him, and then said, "I don't know, Noriel. I feel like my heart is breaking into a million pieces over and over again the more I hurt her.

"I hate the look on her face when I said those hurtful words to her. But whenever I look at her, I am reminded of how her mother brutally murdered my father.

"I hate her kind and especially what she is. I hate the blood running through her veins. And most of all, I hate that I have fallen so deeply in love with her that I can't completely hate her no matter how much I wish to."

"It's tragic what became of your relationship. No matter how I think about it, I don't see how anything can fix your relationship.

"But the fact still remains that her mother killed uncle Edward and that can't be changed," Noriel pointed out but that only irritated Darius more.

"You think I don't know that? I can't look at her the same way ever again because each time I do, I see the face of that woman!

"I want so badly to avenge my father but I can't because... " The Alpha King paused, not willing to continue anymore.

Then and there, the Duke Beta wisely decided to say nothing else, probably understanding that the King was no longer in the mood to speak.

WORDS COULDN'T DESCRIBE how lost Ophelia felt as she sat alone in what looked like an ancient courtroom. She had no idea exactly what she was doing there.

All Samuel told her was to wait there for Darius. She barely had the chance to look around Othwyn castle before she was brought over here.

When Ophelia asked where 'this' was, Samuel only told her it was the Pylos wing, one of the numerous wings in Darius' Othwyn Castle.

The Orman wing was a long wing in Othwyn with numerous rooms. Ophelia hardly at the time to take a proper look at the wing before she was taken to the empty courtroom.

Seeing the unused and covered furniture, the place looked like it hadn't been occupied for a long time.

Red curtains with golden embroidery of different patterns hung from the ceilings to the ground. Black and gold seats were being placed on the carpet in no particular order.

Right at the front, on an elevated platform, a golden throne sat majestically. Ophelia stared at the throne in awe. It looked like it was worth quite a lot.

She couldn't deny that it was beautiful like the rest of the little she saw of the castle as Samuel quickly led her to this room.

In other circumstances, she wouldn't mind living in Othwyn but now, Ophelia wasn't so sure.

After some time, of looking up and staring into space, Ophelia immediately scrambled to her feet once Samuel rushed into the room, reeking of anxiety and worry.

THE HUGE IRON gate was opened as the car reached Othwyn castle, where it was brightly decorated with fairy lights and lanterns.

All the Omegas and Earl Deltas in the castle lined up on both sides of a red carpet rolled from the entrance.

They all bowed simultaneously as the Alpha King stepped out of the car. The Queen Mother gently walked down the carpet, wearing a royal blue sequined dress with an elegant smile on her face.

"Darius, my son!" Alice announced, pulling Darius into a hug. She kissed both his cheeks.

"Mother," Darius returned the hug, wearing a smile of his own but his smile was mixed with anxiety.

"I know that it's only been a few days, but sometimes I can't believe it, because it feels like forever since I last saw you. Did you grow taller?" she spoke in a tone that portrayed excitement.

The Alpha King smiled fondly at her excitement. The Queen Mother was like a child sometimes.

"I am almost a thousand years old, Mother, you can stop babying me now. My subjects might think I am a sissy!"

She rolled her eyes in response. "You were my son before you became their King. "

"Listen to the Queen Mother, Darius, she is always right, " Noriel said, coming to stand beside Darius.

"As always, you are the one who knows me the best," Alice grinned and kissed Noriel's cheeks.

Secretly, the Duke Beta shot the Alpha King a smug grin.

Darius only shook his head at the dramatic duo." Sometimes I feel like Noriel is your son and I was adopted."

"That's where you are wrong, my friend. No one would willingly pick you. Aunt Alice had no choice, " The Duke Beta fired back.

This was rewarded with a melodious laugh from the very amused Queen Mother. Even some Omegas joined in the laugh.

Suddenly, his mother was still and turned to look at Noriel with narrowed eyes. Her nose twitched and Darius' heart skipped a few beats.

Darius had hoped for some more time before his mother caught on to them but it was no longer possible.

"Besides wolves and humans, who else have you been around, Noriel?" She asked, her hazelnut brown eyes darkening a bit.

"No one, aunt-" the Duke Beta tried to say but was quickly cut off by the Queen Mother.

"Don't you dare lie to me, Noriel! Whose scent is on you?"

Helplessly, Noriel looked to Darius for assistance.

"You are all dismissed," Darius said to the staff. Once they had all gone away, Darius turned back to his mother. He could see the wheels turning in her eyes, as she searched for the truth in his eyes.

"Can we please talk inside, Mother?" Darius offered, gesturing to the entrance in front of him.

The Queen Mother growled, her eyes completely turning black.

"I am quickly losing my patience, Darius! You can't expect me to be calm when the Duke Beta reeks of the disgusting scent of the Original Witches! You had better start talking or the Goddess help me... "

Seeing her wolf surfacing was the Alpha King's cue to start talking. But, halfway into his explanation, all hell broke loose.

{•}

Thank you for reading.