I felt so humiliated...

Not only did I embarrass myself in front of a King, but also a bunch of strangers who were now snickering at me as I was made to follow close to them as they walked back to their land.

Keial... the king, he stood in front and never looked my way again once I regained consciousness, which confirmed two of the rumors I had heard about this man.

He had a freaking temper, and the other was that it was true what they said about him.

Despite his obvious anger and dislike for me, I couldn't ignore that this man was unique.

I was a man, but even I could not deny that Keial was a well-built, beautiful man.

Yet, he was still terrifying, terrifyingly beautiful, and now that I know where I stood when I came here, I will think twice before I open my mouth around him, or maybe the next thing I won't get a hand, but a knife in the chest.

I shiver at the thought.

He was so quick, that I didn't even see him move when he hit me.

If it didn't hurt as much as my head did, I would be awe-struck, but that's not what is happening.

That bastard hit me, and then looked down on me while I soiled myself, after being so close to death, what did he expect me to say?

'Thank you'?

I already didn't like him, and I knew the feeling was mutual, but that didn't stop me from following behind him and the group of warriors that were with him.

I didn't have anywhere else to go, and since he wasn't turning me away, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut and do as I was told.

*****

By the time we reached Forgotten Valley, the sun had set and the forest around us had grown dark, and as I half expected some bloodthirsty creature to jump out and attack us, it was deathly quiet in the forest.

I knew why of course, just by looking at him.

No one in their right mind, bloodthirsty monster or hunter, would dare to fight against someone like him, he was a monster in his own right and not someone to be messed with, alone or with any of his warriors.

You'd be wishing for death for simply saying the wrong word to him, with his short temper.

"We're here, niff." One of the warriors next to me said, making me glare at him.

'Niff'?

I'll make sure to remember his face, so one day I can wipe that smirk off his face, for making fun of a guy who was already having a bad day.

When my eyes finally adjusted to the sudden change in light, I was left speechless at the vibrant and thriving city that was surrounded by high, thick stone walls, it was like nothing I had ever, or most likely will ever see again.

Tall and glorious, the walls stood so high I thought that even in my werewolf form, there was no way I, or any other creature could reach the top if we tried for the rest of our lives.

As I followed silently behind the group, we reached the large steel gate of the city and once that gate opened, my ears were deafened by a horn that bellowed throughout the city, alerting all inside to stop what they were doing and focus on the gate.

Echos of cheers and praises were shouted our way- or Keial's way, as we walked through the town filled with happy people, and creatures I had never seen before, but happy nonetheless to see one person in particular.

Looking at Keial, he remained stoic as he walked straight onwards, it was like nothing I had seen before, it was like they were welcoming back a hero- or god among followers, it overwhelmed every part of me to witness it silently.

Maybe I could use the crowd to slip away? I'm sure even if I did stay here, nobody would realize I was new, not when there were already so many people here.

Suddenly, a hand snatched me and pulled me, and when I saw whose hand it belonged to, I felt my body go stiff as I was shoved and made to walk to the front of the group.

As we got closer to the large fortress that resembled a castle from a story I read as a child, the others that were with the King had all disbanded and gone their separate ways, whilst Keial's hand clenched my shoulder tightly and kept me from drifting away.

I had never been so on edge as I was in that moment, as the gates to the castle opened, and like a disobedient child, dragged inside by the most powerful werewolf I had ever laid witness to.

He had so far humiliated me, dragged me around, and treated me worse than anyone had ever done before, but this strange feeling overcame me when I was near him, almost like I judged him too harshly.

King Keial had dragged me by his strong grasp through halls, and doors until we reached what looked like his bedroom, and then shoved me inside whilst he closed the door behind him.

The entire time he dragged me, I was terrified he was going to throw me in the dungeons and later have me questioned, but as we got higher and higher up the stone stairs of his grand castle, I realized that something was wrong.

I flinched when he started to move, and then I watched as he walked past me and then started to take his armor and clothes off until he was standing with nothing but a loin cloth covering his large, and intimidating bulge.

The air was so thick inside the bedroom that I was afraid I would pass out from not breathing, but as I held my breath, the door behind me opened and made me jump, and then four servants walked in.

A large bathtub was carried into a room, and whilst keeping their heads down, they left the room and then more people came inside and started to impressively fill the wooden tub with water.

It had only taken seconds to fill the tub, and once they were done, they disappeared quickly without a word and closed the door behind them, leaving me alone with the King, who had removed his loin cloth and had climbed into the tub.

He was already impressively large, but seeing him up close, a world that was only a legend a few days ago, now naked and bathing in front of me, I could not look away as I admired just how ripped he was, as every part of his body was muscle.

Not to mention his-

"What is your name?" His deep voice suddenly makes me jump, as I swallow hard and look at him from where I still stood, near the door.

I was terrified, but most importantly, I wanted to make it out of there alive, so I stepped forward and ignored my heartbeat racing in my chest.

"F-Felix."

His eyes zeroed in on me stoically as he rested his fist against his jaw, leaning against the tub, like he was trying to figure me out just by scanning every inch of my body, from head to toe, until his eyes rested back on mine.

"You're in luck, Felix." He smirked, his voice deep, and his eyes intimidating.

"A position has just opened up, and that smell of traitor coming from your scent tells me you most likely were on your way to my land for a purpose."

I felt frozen in place, as his hard voice kept me silent, the room was silent and the only sound was coming from the bath water every time King Keial moved even just an inch.

"Y-Yes." I cleared my dry throat quietly, my body shaking as I kept eye contact with him.

Pull it together Felix, stand up straight, don't let him intimidate you and make you cry.

"P-Please grant me your protection a-and in return I will swear my undying loyalty to you, King Keial."

The room turned silent, as he kept his dark, intimidating yet mesmerizing eyes on me, and after what felt like a century, he stood up in the bathtub in all his glory, as the water trickled down his muscled, god-like body.

Then, I watched in slow motion as he got out of the bathtub and walked over to me, leaving water in his wake until he stopped directly in front of me.

I was scared, I was in the presence of a powerful creature, and I had soiled myself, made a fool of myself, and selfishly asked for protection, all whilst gawking at his body like an idiot.

The power radiated off him in waves, it was so strong that it made me feel sick, until I couldn't take it anymore and bent down onto my knees and tilted my neck to the side, swearing my loyalty and submissiveness to him.

With my eyes still on his, I watched as he reached out and touched my neck with his warm large hand, and then I felt a painful pinch and then the scent of my blood filled the room as his nail digged into my neck.

"Look at me." He demanded, so I did without question.

His hand went around my neck and tightened as I stared into his now golden intimidating eyes, staring back at me.

That's when he said something that will stay with me, and haunt me for as long as I have the protection of this incredible, beautiful, and powerful King.

"The last one to serve me closely lost his head... I'm handing it over to you now Felix, do not disappoint me."