Chapter 4: Welcome to Hellington Palace

"Hey, wake up."

Hazel slowly opened her eyes. The king’s Beta, Xavier, was watching her with the focus of a hawk.

I must have slept off.

The car had ceased movement, suggesting they had arrived at their destination point.

She immediately sat up straight, regretting the speed at which she did because of the pain that flared across her back. Hazel winced, causing Xavier to cock a brow.

"It still hurts?"

Hazel looked at him, her brows furrowing. "What do you think?" She spat before she could process her words. The moment they escaped her mouth her eyes widened in horror.

"Oh goddess, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to be—"

"It’s alright." Xavier immediately interrupted her, and she could swear she spotted a glint of amusement in the corner of his eyes. "Let’s go. You slept the entire journey, and we’re already at the palace. Your back will be attended to, don’t fret."

Hazel could only nod her head as she processed the information.

She had slept the entire journey.

Damn, just how exhausted was I?

Xavier gently led her out of the car, taking special care to not touch her back.

Hazel’s eyes widened the moment she was out.

It was now almost evening of the next day, and the sun was slowly setting. Her jaw instinctively dropped at the sight before her, and she even stylishly pinched her thigh to be sure it was real.

Ow. That stung.

Where Tideclaw had been a castle of gloom and dreary energy, the huge building in front of her emanated light and bright gold.

It was insulting how big it was.

A massive strip of blue water cut straight through the center of the grounds, lined with costly looking fountains. The gardens on either side were terrifyingly perfect, squares of green grass and dark trees lined up like soldiers guarding the path.

The palace itself rose up at the end of the water like a white mountain. It had these huge arches and a massive dome on top that caught the sun, turning the whole thing gold.

It was a most jarring sight for Hazel, who scanned the entire vicinity.

She had heard of it before, from her father.

Hellington Palace.

She had correctly assumed it would be a stunning palace worthy of a Lycan king, but she hadn’t known it was this big!

Xavier closed the door behind her and spoke in a low voice. "Follow me."

Woah.

Hazel tried but failed to suppress the sound of awe that slipped from her lips.

"This is my new home?" She queried the Beta walking ahead of her in brisk steps.

"Of course, Miss Hazel. You shall be referred to as the Queen or your majesty the moment you and King Conan consummate your union."

"Wait.... consummate...as in...."

Hazel’s face immediately flushed red, and she nearly choked.

"Are you alright?" Xavier stopped walking, turning back to look at her.

Hazel nodded her head frantically. "Yes. I’m fine."

Xavier watched her for about three more seconds before he resumed his walking. "The marriage will take place tomorrow night, after which you and King Conan would be brought back to Hellington Palace to consummate and preferably conceive a—"

"That’s enough!" Hazel screeched. Her entire body was heating up if that was even possible, and the last thing she needed was more.... inappropriate thoughts about her and the literal king of Lycans.

Xavier bore an expression of complete cluelessness on his face before he slightly lowered his head.

"My apologies."

~

"Ugh. What is that smell?"

The question rang out the moment Hazel stepped foot into the massive palace. She didn’t even have time to gape at it’s grandeur before a slim woman with voluptuous hips strutted towards the entrance.

Hazel noticed she had long and flowy black hair, with some white strands at the front. The woman also had purple eyes, a most peculiar feature for Hazel who had never witnessed the particular eye color previously.

To crown it off, she looked disgusted, bearing an expression Hazel was well accustomed to.

"Watch your tongue, Rosie," Xavier snarled. "She is to be your queen, show her some—"

"Do shut up, Xavier. Allow me to take a closer look at the mutt," the woman, Rosie apparently, silenced the Beta, walking closer to Hazel.

Hazel’s eyes immediately darkened. But before she could utter a single word, Xavier was right in front of her.

"If you take a step closer to her, I WILL kill you," His voice had gone even deeper than usual, and the aura radiating from him sent a cold skittering down Hazel’s spine.

How terrifying.

The strange woman let out a scoff before her perfectly painted red lips curved into a sinister smile. "So protective. Ever the charmer, Xavier." She cooed, walking past both of them, but not before giving Hazel the once over.

"I don’t give a fuck if she’s to be our queen," Rosie stated, lingering near the door. Her mind recalled what Silas had told her and her grin widened. "I hadn’t expected Conan to actually go to Tideclaw to get a bride. But to find out she’s also markless? I’m disappointed, however only a little. She’ll be gone before the end of the week anyway. This is no place for a markless excuse for a Lycan."

And with that, she left, slamming the door dramatically.

Hazel let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding, feeling her fingers clenched.

"Pay her no heed," Xavier’s voice came, and he sounded irritated. "Follow me,"

Hazel, feeling some courage, asked as they resumed walking, "Who’s she? King Conan’s lover?"

Xavier scoffed. "Her? No, no. She’s the daughter of the former Beta of Bloodmoon, our pack. For some reason, she thought that gave her a claim over our king."

Hazel digested this.

"Ah, I see. That’s unfortunate I suppose."

Xavier stiffled a chuckle. "I’ll say."

"Where are we going?"

Xavier turned a corner and Hazel followed, noticing the multitudes of men clad in metal standing at almost every space in the palace.

Guards.

"To see the royal doctor. Doctor Ivana. She’ll tend to your wounds. After that, we’d get you settled in so you can start preparing for the wedding tomorrow."

Wedding.

Hazel still couldn’t believe this was real.

She, the markless failed descendant of an Alpha, was marrying the King of Lycans.

This was something she could have never envisioned even in her wildest dreams.

Still, she was prepared to make the most of the opportunity. Under no circumstances would she return to Tideclaw.

Just as Xavier was about to knock on a door, he tensed, freezing on the spot.

Hazel noticed this and was about to ask what was wrong when she heard footsteps approaching.

"I tell my son to get a wife from Tideclaw, and he brings home a markless?"

"How pathetic."