The Alpha King's Claim novel Chapter 77

The Alpha King’s Claim chapter 77 by desirenovel

Serena

I was nine when I first stepped out of the fae realm. My friends Ada and Ade, sons of my caretaker, High Elder Hanhena, helped me. They were called Adamar and Adaen, the twin swords of the Silken Family, but I preferred to use short names for them. I wasn’t adept much with speaking as I was a late learner…or so the Elders kept on telling me like a broken record.

To be honest, I chose not to speak. I chose to stay silent. My mother before she died told me the fewer words I release, the safer I was. Safe from what? I didn’t know, but I had stayed true to her dying words ever since then even if it got me in trouble many times.

Ada, Ade, and their mother were the only people who showed me care. The rest of the Elders were quite strict with me, and it even got to the point where I felt they hated my existence.

Again, I didn’t know why, but I was told I was a freak of nature many times.

Being in a different place other than the fae realm was refreshing. Even if it was the border between the werewolf territory and Ehnrelil, at least I got a taste of freedom. Seeing a werewolf too up close and personal, and even a royalty at that widened my limited horizon.

At first, I thought, werewolves were what the Elders said—a wild wolf with bad smell and an even nastier personality. I was wrong…with Prince Aero that is. Though he always sent me glares, always told me he hated girls, he never bullied me. Plus, he smelled really great. He’d just live in his own little world while I observed him, getting fascinated with him every second that ticked by.

I would escape on my own when Ada and Ade weren’t there to bring me to Salviste Lake. I could do it even without using what limited ancient magic I learned at that time. My mother always said that I had a unique power within me. I figured this was the reason why I was able to fool the other caretakers.

In my many visits to the lake, I soon realized I wanted to be better friends with this boy wolf just like the bond he shared with the twins, but over the course of years, this craving for friendship grew into something deeper… Love.

I knew though this feeling of mine only headed towards the path to doom. Friendship between a werewolf and a fae was unheard of, how much more when it came to love? What was even worse was my calling being a High Priestess. I wasn’t allowed to be loved and to love. I wasn’t even allowed to go out of the tower in the first place.

Whenever I return from the lake, the Elders always reprimanded me, explode a string of nasty sermons that aimed to demean me. They never failed to mention how unfit I was with my life and my calling.

But of course, since I was my mother’s daughter, a royal blood, a niece to the queen, the heir to my mother’s seat as the High Priestess of the fae realm, they didn’t have a choice but to train me and train me they did.

However, I always wondered if these trainings were a sort of punishment too. They taught me to fight, but they also paired me with some of the skilled fighters in the fae army. I got many bruises and lacerations, broken ribs and tendons, and even a fractured skull but luckily, I was a fast healer. Fae people didn’t have that ability, hence one of the reasons why they called me a freak.

They taught me to be strong, but they also ordered me to lift objects twenty times my juvenile weight. They gave me shelter and food, but I felt like a prisoner inside the Rexhus Tower with no one but my rainbow bugs to live with.

They taught me the ancient magic of the faes where only priestesses had the ability to wield, but they also forced me to do things I didn’t want, grilling my conscience whenever I had no choice but to fulfill it. They would let me kill off helpless fae creatures using this power. They would get another animal from another realm and order me to do the same. They would make me summon cyclones and earthquakes just to see if this ancient power crossed our border to Earth. Using a rune, they even made me summon fire to burn down half of the Rexhus Forest. This negligent order caused great fires on Earth as a result.

My mother was the first to use this ancient power, supporting my uncle, King Alduin, in his shared job as pillar of the realms. She was good at being a priestess. She was idolized by many. She always told me the power of a priestess was meant to be used for the good of all. To protect and give life. Not to take it away.

As Queen of Phanteon, it was my duty to also do just that; to keep the peace and ensure my people’s safety.

I was hiding in another room, just watching King Geraden and my husband exchange words when I felt Aero’s anger and read the intention in his mind. He was willing to sacrifice himself, his castle, and his people for me. It was a commendable trait, and it warmed my heart, but I couldn’t allow such a thing to happen. Not when I could do something to stop it.

I had expected already there would be repercussions for my return and this was it. I was ready to face the ire of Queen Adna, the Elders, and the rest of the faes so decided to show myself to King Geraden.

Now there was no question whether Aero would wage war on Ehnrelil or not. After seeing me disappear with the king and the fae knights, and with Hale at that, it was a given. The last thing I saw was his enraged expression, mid-shift, ready to rain hell on my reckless kind.

The trip to the fae realm was a quick one. Nevannir was always known for that ability. I sensed his power the moment we started to disappear, but I never expected he’d actually help King Geraden. He hated the man. Maybe he was forced to do so or maybe he had a change of heart. It had been almost a hundred years in fae time since I disappeared after all. Anyway, whatever the reason, Nevannir was someone whose intentions were unreadable. Labile at most.

I didn’t expect a grand welcome when I appeared in my realm. In fact, I had already seen this coming: King Geraden throwing me stat inside my room in Rexhus Tower, my prison of a house.

“Welcome back, Priestess,” were his mocking words, sending me a look that was nowhere near friendly or comforting for a king… or even a family relative by law.

“I want to speak with Queen Adna, now,” I demanded, lifting my chin up. He may have become the King of Ehnrelil now, but in my eyes, he still remained the High Elder who groveled for attention under the shadows of his brother.

“Oh, you’ll get your wish soon,” he sneered, moving towards the door.

I watched as he and Hale exchanged words. It was almost inaudible, but I managed to pick up two words: invitation and wine. Maybe they want to celebrate the success of a smooth escape from Phanteon.

Idiots.

Then, King Geraden left, throwing another scornful look at me.

“I need some minute with your precious priestess, boys,” Hale stated while he stood on the threshold, flashing a winsome smile on the four knights that were probably assigned to guard me.

As if they were beguiled by his powers, they left without a word.

“Are you friends with the faes now?” I asked when we were alone, feeling pissed with his presence. As far as I remember, vampires preferred to mind their own business. They steer clear of the drama of other realms. This vampire master was either stupid or he had a pretty good reason to get involved.

“Only when necessary, Serena,” he answered calmly.

“Right,” I placed my arms akimbo. “Damn it, Hale. I’m going straight with you. What do you get by doing this? You’re a vampire. Vampires don’t just work for anyone except if it also benefits them.”

“Hmf,” he laughed weakly, “I’m merely doing my job as a helper, Serena. Nothing more,” he added with still the same calm and collected attitude. I couldn’t tell if he was toying with me or this was just his insensitive side talking.