My Royal Wolf

You are not worth it!!

                                                                              SIX MONTHS LATER

~Liam~

I was in a room that appeared to be a basement. The lack of illumination from the high-up windows gave me the impression that it was either very late at night or very early in the morning. There are a lot of boxes hunkered down in one corner, but none of them were caked in dust like they should be. On the opposite side are rows of shelves, each housing a variety of items. A tiny, weathered wooden receptacle, nevertheless, kept my attention. A red glow emanated from it. The room was lit by the intense brightness of the light.

As if it were a gentle hum, a drumming sound resounded throughout the room, its volume reaching a point where it was painful to my ears. "You did not find your mate. Didn't you? You are not meant to have her. You are not worth it. None of you were. " - My ears perked up at the sound of a low whisper. Turning around, I looked for anyone else in the room. But no one was there. My wolf sensed no smell. "You are not worth it." – she shouted like mad women. It was a female voice that was in so much pain. Such an intense pain, like someone stabbed her repeatedly, and she screeched again and again in high pitch, "YOU ARE NOT WORTH IT".

I jumped up from my sleep and hit the liquor bottles at my feet. I noticed my surroundings—low ceilings, bright overhead lights, mounted easels, and canvas boards left unfinished on the floor. I was in the studio, which serves as my second home these days. It is the same dream again. It has remained constant for the past six months. Since Raya left me, this madwoman has been haunting me. I let her. I do not know why, but I feel her pain; maybe I share the same pain.

I pulled myself up and cleaned. I took out my car and drove to the place that gave me a way to deal with my burning rage. The guard waved at me as I turned my car near an abandoned warehouse. I quickly slipped on my mask and exited the car. 

I heard the ringgoers' applause, bets, and yells from afar. I quickly changed and stepped into the ring. This was not the normal boxing ring; it was a death trap—a game set by humans for bids. I wore a mask of wolf every time I entered the arena. No one questioned me since I was their best player. I visit whenever I need. I got a slot. I was their best bid.

I saw my opponent in front of me. Built like a hulk he is. We locked our gazes for a second before I jumped on him. He might have seen death in my eyes, for which he fought me like prey fights the predator.

--------------------------------------------------Few days later --------------------------------------------------

I bolted out of my sleep, soaked in sweat. It was the same dream with the crazy women again. But I saw my father today in the same basement room. Even though I failed to hear his words, I felt a spike of terror when my father collapsed to the floor.

I took in my surroundings pinching my eyes for clarity, when an understanding dawned on me that it was just a dream. Faint rays of sunlight were already peeking through the tinted windows close to the ceiling. Unusual as it seemed, I slept through the night. I skipped out on it and ran off to see my dad.

My father was in his study when I pushed open his door and entered. Looking up at his face, I was taken aback by what I saw. His shoulders slumped and hunched together, dark shadows lurking beneath the eyes now covered with thick rims of his eyeglasses. He seemed frail, fatigued, and older than his age. Arthur has remarked earlier that father has grown extremely tired. Though I didn't see any external injuries, I could see his charm waning off.

"Are you going to stand and stare at me now? Join me for breakfast. I see you are early today. He spoke softly. I smiled and nodded. "We will be having a few Alphas coming in tomorrow for lunch. Be there by noon"—he informed.

"Were you ever going to give up on this?" I was annoyed. "I meet dozens of people every week. I know you are eager to find my mate, but maybe I don't have one. It has been harder these days to find fated mates. You know it too." I continued. I was about to tell him that my mate had rejected me. However, I am hesitant to disappoint him or encourage his endeavors for the same reasons.

He stood up, pushing his chair back, and walked to the window behind. I saw none of the hostility, hatred, or anger in him. Neither my rage nor my words had any effect on him. That's one of the reasons I adore him. Growing up, he was both my inspiration and my hero. I worked hard to erect those walls around my emotions, brick by brick, only to have them destroyed by someone.

"You are fated for someone, Liam. I know it. You know it too." I was annoyed beyond. I pushed my chair out to stand up. "I do not. I have met every fae in this kingdom who could have been my mate. It's no secret that I'm meant to have a fae-mate. Your queries and meetings made it very apparent, father. We are more modern to believe this father. We do not live in castles or go to war. I might not have a mate. Be it fae, wolf, or human.".

Engulfed in rage and worry, I strode towards the door, when he spoke in a soft tone that I have not heard in a while—"Meet them for my sake, Liam. Just this once." I gritted my teeth and nodded before leaving the room

#All the covers are made on Canvas or Adobe Express, none owned by me