The First King
Chapter 19

Konrad stood at the bottom of a hill, his eyes wide as he watched wolves fighting witches. The sounds of howling and screaming echoed across the valley, filling him with dread. Behind him, he heard the wailing of children and the hush whispers of the women trying to soothe them. He was hiding; they were hiding as others were fighting.

He flinched as a thick, billowing cloud of black smoke shot out, sending some wolves backward. Several witches disappeared into the darkness, slithering through it like snakes. Nero paced within Konrad. He wanted out, to fight alongside his people. But he couldn’t; his father had put him in charge of protecting their pack. While his parents and their best warriors were out there fighting, he was supposed to defend the others, should it come to that.

Konrad pumped his fist in excitement as he watched his father’s dark brown wolf tear into a witch’s body with his claws. As the man lay dying in a puddle of his own blood and innards, he screamed out for help. His friends rushed over, crowding around the wolf. Sweat began to drip from Konrad as he watched his father struggle to fight off multiple people at once. But he was not alone for long; his mother rushed over, yanking one of the witches away from her mate.

A sigh of relief escaped Konrad as he watched his parents fighting together. To him, they were the strongest Alpha and Luna pair alive. Together, they could defeat anything. He looked up to them, aspiring to one day be as strong and wise as they were.

As Konrad continued to watch the fighting, his smile began to fade. The sound of yelping filled his ears. One wolf, then two wolves, and then a third wolf warrior fell. Their dead bodies began to litter the ground. Konrad’s heart began to race, beating hard against his chest. Several of the witches ran around with dark weapons in their hands. The blades sliced into the wolves, piercing their bodies before they could react.

Konrad wanted to shift, to join in the fight, but he could not replace the will to move his feet. His father’s command kept him there. And yet, each time he struggled against the Alpha’s commands, he could feel himself moving a little more, a little further. With Nero being an Alpha wolf, he had the strength and power to ignore the commands of another Alpha. But he was still young, barely a year into being able to shift. His father’s words still held power over him.

“No!” Konrad yelled as a long black spear went into his mother’s body. He could hear her whine as she struggled against the spear, but she was stuck as the end went into the ground. The Alpha was quick to run toward his mate, but he was stopped by a set of chains. Konrad did not need to be there to know they were silver. It was the only thing that could stop a wolf in its tracks instantly.

As other wolves were caught by chains, Konrad continued to fight for the will to move. He wanted to go down there, to stop the witches as they began to drag away his parents and the few remaining warriors. But he couldn’t. Konrad flinched when a hand touched his arm. As he turned around, he noticed Ava standing behind him.

“Konrad.”

“I need to go help!” He shouted as tears fell down his cheeks.

“Konrad.”

“Konrad!”

“What?” He questioned as he snapped out of his thoughts. Beside him was Prew, sitting on top of Meeka. They were at the edge of the woods with the giant sequoias. He looked down, noticing that he was in the saddle of a horse. He had no memory of doing this, nor of the past few hours of traveling. His mind had drifted back to that day… to the day that his hatred for witches began.

“I was asking if you’re coming?” Prew repeated as she pointed to the trail that led through the woods, straight to his pack.

“Oh... no,” he answered with a shake of his head. “I’m going to take the witches and human soldiers and go south of the forest.”

“That would add several more hours to your travel,” she replied as she studied his face. It was red, but they had not been riding in the sun.

“I don’t want the witches near my pack,” he growled lowly as he gripped the reins tighter.

“Oh,” she murmured softly. “I understand. That’s fine. I’ll go check on the pack, then.”

“Tell Gran that I’m sorry. I promise to come see her tomorrow.”

“She’ll understand,” Prew insisted with a smile.

Konrad nodded his head as he urged the horse forward. Prew waited, watching as the witches and the human soldiers rode past her. She looked back at the wolves that were behind her. They were anxious to be home, to be back with their families.

“Go on,” she instructed as she pointed her head to the woods. “I’ll catch up.”

The wolves happily sprinted into the forest, all except for one. Rowan stayed beside her, his eyes staring at her. He had no family to hurry home to: no mate, no parents, no siblings. The only blood he had left was in Ava and Konrad. But, even if he did have family waiting for him, he would not leave Prew alone. It did not matter that they were in the Kingdom of Guilford. He wanted to be by her side, always.

After an hour, Prew and Rowan entered the clearing that lay in the middle of the woods. As she dismounted from Meeka, children began to surround her. They were yelling at her excitedly, all vying for her attention. Ava had to swoop in, shooing the little ones away from Prew.

“Welcome home, my Luna,” Ava chuckled as the children dispersed. She looked behind Prew as she searched for Konrad. “Where is the Alpha?”

“We brought some guests home with us, but Konrad did not trust bringing them through the woods,” Prew explained as she took Ava’s hands in hers. “But he said that he will come see you tomorrow.”

“No matter,” Ava sighed. “I’m glad you’re here, at least. I have more blueberry shoots for you!”

“Oh good!” Prew smiled brightly. “I’m going to need to make a bunch of arrows. It is nearly time for us to start pushing.”

“Oh,” Ava whispered as her hands tightened around Prew’s. She knew that there was going to be fighting. But it worried her nonetheless, especially now that she was older. She could not fight nor travel the distance that they would go. If something were to happen, she would not know of it until later. “Come, let me show you what I am doing for you.”

Ava led Prew through their little town, toward the far edge where the creek ran. She pointed out rows of plants, all in various stages of growth.

“Every five days, I plant a new row of blueberry seeds,” she explained with a smile. “It won’t take long before I will have a continuous supply for you. And! As it is getting colder, our hunters have been seeing Elk running around. I am making sure to save the sinew for you.”

“Thank you,” Prew murmured as she smiled. “I really appreciate all of this, but I can use normal arrows, too.”

“You can, but we all love the smell of blueberries that lingers on you,” Ava replied as she gently pinched Prew's left cheek. “Every wolf has a scent, and to their mates, a very specific scent that can be intoxicating. And for you, well, it wouldn’t be you if you didn’t smell like blueberries.”

“My scent won’t be intoxicating to anyone, though,” Prew objected as she rolled her eyes.

“You never know,” Ava shrugged as she handed Prew a pile of freshly picked blueberry shoots. “Scents can grow on people. Now, come on. Why don’t you help me with dinner? It would make this old woman happy.”

As Prew followed Ava, Konrad was arriving at Sella Castle. The trip would have taken longer, but he had pushed the horses into a gallop for the last leg of the journey. He was anxious to be home, anxious to be away from Jude’s incessant talking. Once in front of the castle, they were met by Porter and other guards.

“Konrad! You are a sight for sore eyes!” Porter exclaimed as they shook each other’s hands. He then looked behind Konrad. Porter noticed that he returned with the four human soldiers that went with Prew, but she was nowhere in sight. “Where is my daughter?”

“Don’t worry, she is fine,” Konrad assured him with a smile. “She and I ran into one another on the road. I sent her to check in on the pack so I could come straight here.”

“Why?”

“I’ve brought guests,” Konrad stated as Jude and Sofia dismounted their horses. “They are witches.”

“And you allowed them here, in my home?!” Porter hissed through gritted teeth.

“It’s my home now,” Konrad corrected gently. “But, they sought out Prew and I. They want to help us.”

“But-”

“Trust me, I want them dead just like you,” Konrad interrupted. “But they are not even from the same coven as the Thresnora witches.”

“Alright, so why bring them here? Why take the risk?” Porter questioned.

“I want them to meet with the Leader Council,” Konrad explained. “Using them to help in this war shouldn’t be left up to just Prew and I. If I had it my way, I would kill them all. But, at the same time, it would not hurt to have their support and aid. Even if we only use them for their healing magic.”

“Well, you’re in luck. The council is convening tomorrow. There has been some development in the East. Don’t be surprised if you head out again in a day or two.”

“Great... In the meantime, can you see to it that these witches are locked up in a bedroom?” Konrad inquired. “I’m quite tired from traveling, and I could use the rest.”

“And a bath,” Porter remarked as his nose scrunched up.

“Prew said the same thing last night,” Konrad scoffed as he walked inside.

Though he sounded irritated, he was anything but. Thinking about Prew, about laying beside her under the blankets, was the only thing that was bringing his mind peace amidst the turmoil. As he walked through the castle, he called for hot water to be brought to the tub in his room. He wanted to wash up before Prew returned. Even though they were home, and she had her own room, he could not help but want to share her bed… again.

After the tub was filled with hot water, Konrad went into the bathroom. As he began to undress, the scent of rose petals and thyme filled his nose. Konrad turned around and saw Lorelei standing there. She was silent, and her eyes were red from crying. Her body had grown thinner in the two weeks since he last saw her. Nero whined within Konrad’s soul. Urges and yearnings swelled through his heart and mind. His mate was here, waiting on him. He closed the space between them, quickly taking her into his arms. Their lips found one another with a fiery passion.

“Lorelei,” he whispered between kisses.

“Konrad,” she gasped as she pressed against his naked body.

His hands went to her dress, tugging it down until it fell to the floor. Now, with her skin bare before him, with her treasures freed from the confines of her clothes, Konrad was able to explore her body freely. He gripped her breasts, feeling the small mounds that felt like pillows to his hands. A growl rumbled through his chest as he rested his head against her shoulder. He had missed her, missed her scent and the feel of her skin. But, while he touched her, he could not stop himself from thinking of Prew. He wanted both of these women, greedy though it may be.

“I’m sorry,” Lorelei murmured as her hands went through his hair. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” he replied, looking into her eyes. “It was my choice in the end.”

“But, if it weren’t for my begging, you would have never brought me,” she insisted. “I have felt so guilty since I left you. All I could think about was how I would make it up to you.”

“You don’t have to do anything. It’s fine, I swear it.”

“Please, my mate, let me make it up to you,” she pleaded as she put her hands on his chest. A seductive smile went across her face as she gently pushed him backward. “Get in the tub.”

“Are you commanding me?” He inquired with a smirk.

“Yes, my Alpha. I command you to get into the tub,” she replied as she straightened her back.

“Yes, my mate,” he whispered in a low, guttural growl.

Konrad stepped back until his legs hit the tub. The steam from the water brushed against his skin as he slowly slid into the water. Lorelei climbed in after him, straddling his lap as she settled in. She took a damp cloth and began rubbing it across his chest and arms. As she washed him, Konrad’s hands ran across her pale skin. He felt her neck, her breasts, and the bony curves of her hips.

After washing his hair, Lorelei’s hands finally traveled to his stomach, and further down until she found the rigid member that had been rubbing against her. Her hands slowly pumped, feeling as the veins popped and the skin grew tighter to her touch. She had gone stir-crazy while he was gone. Waiting for him, thinking of him, made her restless. Her body craved him; her wolf craved Nero. She moved further up his torso until the tip of his member was pressed against her entrance. Moans escaped her mouth as she slid down onto him.

Once he was buried deep within her, Konrad gripped her hips. He helped to ease her up and down, guiding her as she rode against him. The only sounds in the room were of the splashing of water and her soft moans. He buried his face into her chest, his mouth seeking out the hard nipples that had been teasing him. Lorelei held onto him, her body trembling under his touch. She wanted more from him; she needed more. Her body, her wolf, her soul and entire being needed everything from him.

“I want you to mark me,” she whispered as her hips continued to rise up and down.

“I can’t,” he groaned.

“You can; it’s just a quick bite,” she insisted as she gripped his face, forcing him to look her in the eyes. “I need you, Konrad. I need to be yours. Can’t you feel it, too?”

“I cannot mark you. I’ve already told you this,” he frowned as he pulled back from her grasp, causing her to slide off of him.

“I have been nothing but miserable while you were gone!” She yelled. “Have you not been?!”

“I have a pack, a kingdom, an entire continent on my shoulders. I cannot let my emotions control my life!” He asserted as he stood, exiting the tub. He took a towel and quickly dried himself off. “You should leave.”

“No! Please don’t do this to me again. Don’t tell me to leave!” Lorelei pleaded as she hurried to him. She fell to her knees behind him, ignoring the water that dripped to the floor. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I won’t ask again. Please, don’t send me away again. Please!”

“I’ve already told you that our life would be nothing but pain and suffering,” Konrad whispered as he turned to face her. “Are you sure you can handle this? I am not just your mate.”

“I know, I was wrong,” she cried as tears rolled down her cheeks. “It was hard for me to be away from you. I barely ate, I barely slept. I was beside myself. But I promise you that I can tolerate this, tolerate not being marked. Please, just don't send me away.”

“Alright,” Konrad sighed as he held his hand out to her. “If you can tolerate everything that I have going on, then you may stay.”

“Thank you, thank you!” She gasped as she took his hand. He helped her to her feet and embraced her tightly.

“Will you come lay with me?” He questioned softly. “I am quite tired, and I have missed sleeping beside you.”

“Of course, my Alpha,” she nodded as she wiped her tears. “Would you like for me to rub your back? It will help to relax you.”

Konrad smiled softly as he led her back into his bedroom. He did not lie to her when he said that he had missed sleeping beside her. But, deep down, he knew that he would also miss sleeping beside Prew. He wished that he could be like some of the human kings, the emperors, who had more than one wife. If he could openly take Prew and Lorelei, he would. He would have them both lay with him, one on either side. But he wondered if, even then, would he be truly happy. Or would he always want more?