Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The man stood under the moonlight, hands clasped behind his back. The screams of the woman pierced through his ears, and he shut his eyes, tuning the screams out.

It wasn't the first time, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. He heard footsteps behind him and turned, the smell of blood filling the air. His gaze fell on the woman walking towards him, blood splattered across her clothes.

She stopped in front of him and bowed. "Leader."

The man nodded, his gaze shifting to the locked door where he could see the shadows of two men cleaning the room. He turned to look at the woman.

"How is the turning going?" He asked.

The woman shook her head, stepping next to him, watching to take in the moonlight too. "Fifty-fifty. It's too unstable. Some are too weak to handle it, and they end up dying anyway," she replied.

The man cursed under his breath, his hands tightening into a fist. "We are running out of bodies and time."

"These people you bring are weak," she snapped, frustration eating her inside out. "We need stronger hosts. People that are strong. These scraps you bring won't sustain him."

"I'm doing what I can. The disappearances have already caught attention. That damned king is getting suspicious."

The woman turned slowly, the moonlight painting her pale face in gold. Her eyes locked on the man's. "The king won't be your problem once he ascends." She gestured for him to follow her, and he did.

She pushed a door open, and they stepped inside. There was an altar, one she had specially created for him. The room was littered with lanterns and hymns. She stepped forward, lifting a hand over the swirling energy in the altar. It danced under her palm, forming into something almost humanoid.

"He's almost ready," she whispered. "His form is nearly complete."

She turned to the man. "This is why we must be quick. We do not have any time to waste. You must hurry with the search for a sage."

The man rubbed his temples. "I have told you. That is impossible for me to do. The last sage was seen three decades ago, right? There is no sage alive."

"There is a sage. One lives. I have seen it in my visions. You must find that sage. Without a sage, the ascension means nothing!"

The man clenched his jaw. "And if your visions are wrong?"

"They are never wrong," she snapped, her voice echoing unnaturally through the room. "I saw them… a child of blood and fire. Born of power not touched by time. The sage walks among them already."

"Amongst millions of people across the realm. How do I find the sage you say lives? It's impossible," he snapped, growing even more frustrated. Suddenly an idea flashed into his mind, and he turned to the woman. "Is it impossible for you to sustain him without a sage?" he asked.

The woman's eyes flashed red with anger. "The sage is not just a vessel. They are a bridge. Between realms. Between life and death. Spirit and flesh. Only through them can Khaos ascend in his true form. Khaos needs his powers once he has ascended, and he cannot have them without a sage, a vessel to contain these powers."

The man rubbed his head. "Find another vision. Show me where the sage lives and let me bring them here!"

The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. My visions do not work like that. Besides, I have spent the better part of my powers bringing the dark lord back into this world."

The man heaved heavily, his gaze stuck on the altar. "So what do I do then?"

The woman turned to him. "Increase your search for the sage." She turned away from him then paused. "And for the love of all things evil, bring stronger people. All men this time. The women are useless."

_____________

The dining hall was quiet, save for the maids dishing out their food. Thorne sat at the head of the long table, his presence undeniable. Adina sat to his right, her mind still shaken with all that had happened. Across from them sat Roman and Catherine, stiff and silent.

Catherine had been quieter than usual, not even daring to give her snippy remarks. And Adina? She was too busy thinking about what had happened and wondering if she had lost her mind.

Thorne glanced at her, brows quirked up. He had spent most of the day out in the pack, his investigations still ongoing. The leads were the same as the other packs. The poor and wretched people were the ones missing.

He had sent word to Caelum, asking for reports back on the rebels he had told him about, but the reports all led to a dead end.

From his peripheral vision, he saw Adina refusing the roasted chicken from the maid. He opened his mouth to speak but was beaten by an overzealous Alpha.

"She doesn't like roasted chicken. Bring the fried chicken," Roman blurted out.

Thorne stiffened, his brows raised, gaze locked on the alpha before him. What the hell was that?

Roman's eyes caught onto Thorne, and he gulped hard. "I- She— I could tell—" he couldn't get the words out of his mouth quick enough, not with the king staring at him he would dig his grave right from here he was seated.

Catherine shifted uncomfortably where she was seated, clearing her throat loudly. "Bring me some fried chicken too," she said.

Catherine looked between them all, the tension palpable, but she knew she had just one chance.

She forced a smile on her face and looked at Adina. "My lady," she began.

Adina blinked, glancing at her. What does Catherine want now? "Yes?" she replied, not bothering to put her title behind. She knew it irked Catherine, judging by the eye twitch.

"There is a festival at the market tomorrow. There will be a slash in price for all things bought. It's usually a very fun day for everyone. I was thinking, perhaps you'd like to come with me."

Adina frowned. In all her years of living in Crystal Moon, there was no festival like that.

Catherine seemed to catch on quick. "I-it's a new festival. We just started celebrating, and by that, the slash in price helps the lower class to be able to buy things they can't normally afford. Right, Alpha?" she said, looking at Roman.

He had no idea what Catherine was talking about but nodded. Anything to get the barren witch off his back. "Yes, of course," he replied.

Catherine smiled smugly. "So? Would you like to come with me to the market tomorrow?"

Adina stared hard. There was no such festival. She knew that much. What did Catherine have planned?

Adina smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'll join, if that's okay by his majesty."

Thorne looked at her, "Adina..." he called through the mind-link.

"There is no festival like that. I wonder what she has planned. Please say yes. I'll be careful," she replied.

"Mason will come with you. I can't let you go alone knowing your sister might put you in danger."

She nodded, smiling. "Thank you, thank you."

"If that's what you wish. Then you can go," he said, placing his hand on hers. His gaze shifted to Catherine.

"Bring my mate back to me safely, Luna. I might joke with anything but never my mate."

It sounded like a threat to Catherine's ears, but she didn't mind. The plan was in motion now. Besides, he'll be too busy mourning his supposed mate to pay attention to her."

She smiled back. "Lady Adina will be as safe as she could ever be."