Embers In The North
32

Reyna stirred awake, grappling with the disorienting haze as her muscles throbbed. With a wince, she slowly sat up, taking in the opulent emerald decor of the room.

“You’re awake,” a soft voice said.

Squinting through the fog of her disorientation, Reyna focused on the figure standing at the foot of the bed. The memories rushed back – Cridius had incapacitated her with ‘Lydia,’ and her Ember ability had betrayed her, revealing her Luna status to that Alpha. A momentary lapse in caution that now echoed with consequences.

She had entered this encounter with Cridius convinced that her Ember, her tried-and-true power, would be enough. But this time, it betrayed her. Her formidable ability which had been a source of strength, her weapon against countless adversaries, had faltered in the face of Cridius’ strength and mysterious magick.

How Cridius and his warriors managed to repurpose the remnants of the once-protective dome into a confining space puzzled her.

It was obvious that she was far away from the Mithril Obelisk now and from the room, its decor, and the attire of the female standing there, Reyna gathered that they were within a citadel.

Examining her own attire, Reyna noticed her black dress had been replaced with an orange one. Irritation flickered in her yes, not merely due to hideous colour but because of the uninvited alteration. The thought of an unknown individual changing her clothing without consent irked her.

“Can I help you in any way, Luna?” the female asked, her gaze still averted.

Reyna regarded her quietly. Her fingers were laced in front of her, and she wore the blandest brown frock she had ever seen. She was a Gamma, no doubt, and apparently served her now.

Getting up from her bed, Reyna gathered the heavy skirt of her dress into her hands and walked over to her.

“Where is this place?” Reyna asked, realizing she would be able to learn what she needed from the very frightened female.

The Gamma hesitated, her voice hushed in within the solemn walls. “This sanctuary belongs to Alpha Cridius, Luna. It was by Lord Cridius’ command that I have been designated to attend to your needs.”

In response to the ceremonial title she kept using, Reyna growled. “Enough with this Luna nonsense, Gamma. Just call me Reyna.”

“Luna, using your name could cost me dearly. I’m just a lowly Omega. I wish I could hold a higher rank, perhaps even become a Gamma,” she said quietly.

Reyna studied her, trying to decipher the intricacies of their hierarchy. Did Omegas truly occupy the lowest position in their societal structure? She needed a clearer understanding of their rankings. “Tell me, what comes after the Alpha? Explain all the ranks,” Reyna commanded.

“The Beta follows the Alpha, and Lord Kylian holds the esteemed position of both Beta and brother to Alpha Cridius. The Gammas, in turn, pledge allegiance to the Beta, serving as the vigilant guards and warriors under the Alpha’s reign,” the Omega explained. “As for the Omegas, we are the lowest caste—born into the shadows, regarded as outcasts. Our existence is entwined with servitude, carrying out the Alpha’s will in any capacity required.”

Reyna listened with a contemplative hum. “Why did Cridius bring me here?”

“There are rumours, Milady, that Alpha Cridius will complete the mating rites with you tonight. Commanders from all four regions have been summoned to the feast.”

Reyna gripped the edge of her gown, a flicker of irritation coursing through her veins. Four regions—did Kuntheas have territories too? Storming out of the intricately adorned bedroom, she was almost raging mad at the audacity of Cridius assuming he could mate with her. Wincing in pain, she massaged her temples, the remnants of a lingering headache coming on. To her surprise, as her hand traced her abdomen where the claw marks from the Yggdrasil lupin had marred her skin, the pain was gone, leaving only a curious absence.

Pausing to savour the unexpected relief, her senses heightened. The air carried a subtle scent, an uncanny energy that set her on edge. Slowly, she became aware of Cridius’ presence standing midway down the corridor before her. His cold brown eyes bore into her, devoid of any discernible emotion.

Strangely, he was bereft of the peculiar staff she had seen him wield before, now donned in garments that radiated a wild elegance. The stifling heat of Kuntheas seemed to have lessened, despite the weight of the elaborate dress she had on.

“Icehelm,” he said. It was hard to tell anything from his tone.

Reyna’s anger flared, a sharp retort ready to spill. “Where do you think you get the right to just claim me as a mate, you—”

He cut her off with a condescending scoff. Then, without another word, he pivoted toward the empty hallway, a silent command implicit in the gesture. Reyna watched as he scanned the empty expanse, devoid of windows, and looked back at her, a tacit expectation for her to follow.

As he appraised her in the garish orange dress, his eyes lingered in a lecherous manner, each minute more repugnant than the other. The repulsiveness of the dress seemed trivial compared to the contempt she felt for him.

Reyna glared at him as she let the dress’ skirt fall, muttering, “You’re truly despicable.”

“If you must know.” He approached her. “As a female, you serve three functions in life: to serve your men, fuck them, and breed for them. Watch yourself, Reyna. You will regret it if you speak without permission again.”

Anger flared inside her. “Fuck you, Cridius,” Reyna spat.

A chilling smile curved his lips. “If that is what you wish.”

The moment Cridius hoisted Reyna over his shoulder, shock coursed through her at the speed with which he moved. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, a punishment from the gods themselves. He carried her back into the bedroom.

“Get out!” he roared at the terrified woman she had just met, who fled the room immediately, leaving Reyna at Cridius’ mercy. He threw her onto the bed.

Drenched in sweat, Reyna rolled off the bed and tore off the skirt of the cumbersome dress with an irritated grunt. Her eyes widened when she saw Cridius removing his coat and unbuttoning his shirt. Panic surged within her, but she forcefully pushed it aside, knowing that the scent would satisfy him.

“Where’s Lydia?” Reyna scanned the room, distancing herself from the remnants of the dress, her eyes searching for any potential weapon.

There was no denying his strength, a fact Reyna knew first-hand he was just as powerful as Roth and the other Alphas. Confronted with such physical might, the prospect of fighting him seemed futile, and her abilities provided no advantage.

Deliberately, Cridius removed his shirt, clicking his tongue as he said, “You’re still talking.”

Reyna’s eyes flitted inadvertently over his bare torso, and she felt an unexpected twinge of attraction. Despite her repulsion for Cridius, there was an undeniable allure to his powerful form. His physique was imposing, his muscles sculpted, and the play of shadows over his olive skin.

The conflicting emotions caught Reyna off guard. She resented the involuntary pull of her gaze, the unwelcome appreciation for the physicality of the arrogant rotbrain!

Quickly, she forced her eyes up to his, trying to push the unwelcome thoughts from her mind. This was no time for distractions, especially not when facing a formidable adversary like Cridius.

“Get back in there.” When he pointed towards the bed, but Reyna scoffed, glaring defiantly as she squared up to fight him.

The smile on his face grew and he made a sound akin to a moan, striding confidently around the bed toward her.

“I must admit, as annoying as your stubbornness is, there’s a certain allure to your spirited resistance. But do you honestly believe-”

She conjured an Ember orb and hurled it toward him. Cridius evaded quickly, his anger fuelling a quicker advance. Determined to reach the logs stacked by the fireplace to use to defend herself, Reyna dove across the bed, but Cridius caught her leg, pinning her to the bed.

“Let go!” she shot.

Kicking, she unleashed another Ember orb, trying to break free. Cridius, however, lowered over her, capturing her wrist.

“Do not make me hurt you!” he warned. “Cut it out!”

Howling in frustration, she continued her futile struggle. Eventually, her entire body ignited in Ember. Most would recoil from her, but Cridius remained unfazed. His narrowed eyes as he watched her Ember flare, and more importantly, her flames didn’t harm him.

She panted, struggling to breath beneath the weight of his body pressing down on her. “Release me, or I’ll reduce this place to ashes.”

“No,” Cridius said. “If you wish to protect your kin, you’ll heed my commands.”

Snarling, Reyna held his gaze. He reached through her Ember field to hold her chin and her flames extinguished immediately. He made an odd sound as he really looked at her.

“It is strange that an Icehelm is a fire breather,” he commented as he studied her with a sharp brow. “Are you mixed, then?”

Reyna swatted at his hand that was almost crushing her chin but it didn’t bulge and she was vexed by his strength and by whatever magic he had.

“You are a noble-born, not a filthy, mannerless runt. Behave yourself!”

“I am a Fang, you blasted fool.” She exerted all her strength, trying to free herself. “I am not some female you force under your boot because you think your measly dick makes you better than me, and I swear I will bite your nose off if you don’t get off!”

The sound of Cridius’ laugh echoed in her ears as he jumped to his feet and just stood there looking at her.

With a snap of his fingers, Cridius called, “Ariel, get the other females assigned to serve the Luna in here and prepare her for the ceremony.”

It took Reyna a moment to climb out of bed as Ariel stepped back into the room. The frustration built within her; she couldn’t understood anything Cridius did or said. Taking hold of her arm, he pressed her against him, holding her tight.

“Here is the thing. In contrast to what you are accustomed to believing where you’re from, here in Kuntheas, I do not need your consent to claim you as my own.”

His smoky brown eyes radiated a beautiful, iridescent glow as her gaze met his. They mirrored the colour of the morning sky, a looming blaze simultaneously terrifying and awe-inspiring. The moment she attempted to move, he seized the nape of her neck and sank his teeth into her throat.

Closing her eyes against the sting of his bite, a sensation jolted through her heart, accompanied by a pop in her ears. Crippling fear lashed through her, and she felt an overwhelming desire to cling to him, as if he were her sole hope for survival. With his teeth etching his mark into her skin, Reyna’s body quivered. She froze as he raised his head to meet her eyes, a smile playing on his lips as he licked the blood from them, baring his teeth at her.

“You are mine!” Cridius growled.

Taking a step backward, she slumped to the ground as Cridius loosened the grip he had on her throat.

In all the years she had thought about taking a mate, she had never imagined it would happen like this. Holding her knees to her chest, she felt whatever he had done coursing through her.

“How dare you!” Her fingers balled into fists, and the sound of her heart thumping filled her ears.

With a soft voice, he instructed Ariel to get ready for the ceremony as soon as possible, grabbed his shirt and left.

Soon after he left the room, Ariel lowered in front of her. “I must get you ready. We shouldn’t keep the Alpha waiting.”

Her breath faltered as she fought the pain in her neck, and she noticed Ariel sneaking a glance at the mark still searing into her throat. She felt Cridius claim searing into her being.

The throbbing pain in Reyna’s neck caused her breath to falter. Cridius’ claim seared into her, a manifestation of a binding force that transcended the physical. She could feel his will tightening around her, and she was powerless to resist.

As the mark penetrated beyond Reyna’s skin, it poured into her veins and entwined itself with her being. Her body shuddered, as if something foreign was invading her, and a sense of dread and helplessness washed over her. It wasn’t just a claim on her body; it was a claim on her soul. She would be forever linked with him, and the consequences of that bond would be far-reaching.

With the sensation intensifying, she realized Cridius had left her alone to deal with this experience she had neither sought nor desired. She couldn’t fathom the logic – who marked his mate and left without witnessing the process? Cridius was undeniably despicable!

Ariel whispered, “I am sorry, Luna,” in a way that made Reyna feel helpless. “Alpha Cridius is a curse that I would never wish upon anyone.”

It took Reyna a moment to compose herself before she rose to adjust what remained of her dress and to shake her hair out of her face.

“Tell me about Cridius,” Reyna commanded.

The instant her eyes caught sight of the mirror on the other side of the room, Reyna crossed over to inspect the discomfort in her neck. Her breathing slowed as she tilted her head leftwards, staring at the golden glyph forming around the menacing mark. She turned back to Ariel, completely distraught. Cridius had ruthlessly snatched away any chance of being with Roth, and she vowed to make him pay.

Ariel looked away from her. “Alpha Cridius descends from the old wolves that banished the rest of the tribe from here.”

“The rest of the tribe?” Reyna wondered. Was she referring to the other wolves in Aupheadia?

“The first wolves of Kuntheas were four brothers. My knowledge of the strife that tore them apart is not precise, Milady,” Ariel murmured. “But our daemon gods shame your gods, and they have greatly favoured Lord Cridius.” Ariel took a long breath. “Nothing hurts Alpha Cridius and his house. Nothing at all,” she said, conveying a sense of having tried and failed. “My advice, if I may be so bold, would be to spare yourself the torture and do what he asks of you. He will kill you if you do not.”

Reyna sat in front of the mirror, turning her neck this way and that. Where before had been pain, a stark black mark now adorned her skin - a symbol of the House of Cridius, she supposed it was, shining like the sun. She was aware that from this moment on, things would never be as they once were.

Rage boiled in Reyna as she realized that Roth no longer had the right to claim her his mate. Why had he dallied for so long, allowing this to happen? By all divine forces, daemon or not, Cridius would suffer for this!

“Help me get dressed, Ariel,” she commanded as the uneasiness within her intensified.