ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)
PART TWO: CHAPTER SIX

Sinking his groin into the soothing bathwater, Darren soon realized that he needed a greater form of distraction.

His hands curled as the hungry thing within him tried to take over.

The Alpha King had been doing that a lot- fighting the beast within him.

After days of denial that were filled with flashing images of a one-armed Alisha and after his visit to the Chief Librarian and Zaramanni’s close walk toward death, neglecting the truth had become a useless effort.

He, King Darren, the once wolfless king was now one with a wolf. But it was no ordinary wolf.

Most men in the kingdom who had evolved into their other selves used their wolves to feel free, enjoy the bliss of the night, protect their families, and protect the kingdom.

But his new self was nothing like that. Darren could tell how murderous his wolf could get if let out of its cage. He knew his people would be put in danger if his other side got out.

Sighing deeply as his toes danced to get the water between them, he recalled his lengthy discussion with the old librarian. Apart from confirming a rare connection between him and the half-fairy, he listed ways in which her presence would help him and his kingdom.

The man-wolf mentioned the negative sides to having Zaramanni around as well.

While recalling those facts, King Darren felt glad that he didn’t tell the girl during their earlier talk that she was either a walking saviour or an inevitable disaster.

The half-fairy would have scattered the entire room with her fury.

Choosing to focus on the positive, King Darren remembered that having Zaramanni around will keep his raging side in check to some extent.

For that reason, the librarian had suggested relocating Zaramanni to the palace, but Darren stood against the idea.

The palace was hardly an ordinary place. Not just anyone had the liberty to enter.

As the man scooped some of the heated water and poured it on his hair which desperately needed a cut, he realized that the moment Zaramanni mentioned going to Mount Hermos, he became selfish.

Thinking about how difficult it would be for him if his wolf were to act out, King Darren decided to keep some truth from Zaramanni.

Even though he didn’t lie about her falling into danger, Darren decided to use that opportunity to make sure she stayed around for a long time. Long enough for him to sort out the mess he was in. Long enough to figure out what to do to restore his kingdom to a state of enviable glory.

His large palms rubbed over his broad chest as his selfish thoughts finalized.

His mind at ease a little, Darren rested properly and decided to enjoy the bath.

He was already relishing the soothing feeling of the ointment-filled bath when footsteps approached him. Looking to the right, Darren watched as a feminine shape walked out of the dark shadows of the corridor ahead and toward the lighted bathroom.

“Laura,” he called with delight. It had been a while since he got some alone time with his wife. “Join me.”

Thankfully, the she-wolf came prepared.

Her purple-tinted hair swiftly fell onto her shoulders and she took off her robe, teasing his eyes with the sight of her full breasts and shaved pubis.

As she climbed into the water and settled in between his legs, she started to tease his manhood. And it responded with a twitch.

With a smile on his face, Darren pulled his mate closer and planted a small kiss on the side of her lips. After watching her lips wear the cute smile that always managed to make him feel good after a long day of running the Kingdom, the king pulled her closer and turned the kiss into an intense one.

His arm circled her waist, and her fingers dug into his shoulders. They both used their lips and their tongues to express a hunger for each other’s touch.

As Darren occasionally broke the kiss and tickled the skin of her neck with random, peppery love bites, Laura giggled while making sure their groins were still attached and feeling aroused.

To make the most of that moment, Darren advanced things as his lips traveled to the mould of her right breast.

While she was still grinding against his groin, Laura placed her hands on his chin, and softly asked, “What happened to you earlier? Were you feeling weak?”

“No,” he groaned as he felt a strain in his shaft. “I don’t know what happened back there.” His tongue pressed against her nipple.

When his head turned to focus on the other breast, her questioning continued.

“Why did you run toward her?”

”Who?” Darren’s response was barely coherent since the dark-pink nipple was caged between his teeth.

“That girl. Zaramanni.”

Darren instantly put a stop to what he was doing. His hands gripped her waist and stopped her movements. Then, he wore a frown. “What are you talking about?”

Laura sighed and left his hold to settle at the far end of the bath. Staring into his eyes, she said, “Did you even know that you were about to run toward her?”

”Laura, Zaramanni is my guest. If my guest is attacked by a random weapon, I have to be concerned.”

”Sham was already doing all the concern, Alpha Darren.” Her bold eyes wore little wrinkles filled with great worry. “Do you even know how bad of a look it was when you ran in that girl’s direction? I saw the way our people looked at me.”

“Laura…” Darren couldn’t believe that she would think that way. “Do you even hear yourself?”

After digging the tip of her tongue into the side of her mouth, her eyes slightly narrowed, some seconds passed before she defiantly continued, “You barely know the girl. So, I am failing to understand why you would act in such a rash manner. One might think she is your lover.”

Darren was highly disappointed and he fought hard to keep the disgust in his mind from spreading to his face.

Trying to keep his voice calm, he replied to her.

“That girl is the reason the fairies don’t have me caged in their deadly prison. That girl is the reason you have the chance to be here with me after what you went through with the goddamn fairies. So, when I say Zaramanni is my guest,” his finger was fiercely pointed at the exit as a means of gesture, “that means I will protect her just like I protect my people.”

“What were you even looking for in Amarxona? Your kingdom was just shattered into pieces, was running away your next option?”

”Laura!” he almost roared if not for his self-control. “I left this kingdom for Amarxona because rescuing you was important to me. Do you know how enraged I was to hear that the fairies that destroyed my Kingdom had taken you captive?

Do you have any idea of the things I deprived myself of to save you? Thanks to that girl, all of my efforts were not in vain. Thanks to her, I got a chance to come back to where I belong.”

Laura rested her elbow on the edge of the tub as she brought her knees closer to her chest. With her sight averted, she mumbled, “I had no idea. I am sorry.”

Eyeing her furiously because he failed to see her remorse, Darren said, “I have no idea what has come over you, but this is a crucial time for the Kingdom. If you won’t give me peace, do well to stay away from me in the meantime.”

”Darren…” Laura moved closer, her hand already making its way to his thick manhood which was now limp.

“Stop.” A hand was pushed in her face. “I want to be alone.”

“But-”

With a stern look, Darren said, “You should have thought hard before voicing your baseless thoughts.”

The woman sighed as she coyly stared at her lap as her fingers stroked the many marks on her skin. “I was just feeling weird about the situation, I didn’t mean to ruin your mood.”

His lips pressed tightly, a hand holding his neck, the king gestured toward the exit again and she said nothing more. After grabbing a bath towel and hoping he would come to bed, she walked out of the room and the man was left with his thoughts once again.

Still disappointed with his wife’s strange and useless thinking, Darren’s mind went to the scene she had pointed out.

He recalled how he fell to his knees as Zaramanni’s pain became his.

Then, the King wondered what else would occur because of their strange connection.

It was already established that she would keep his raging beast in check, but he couldn’t help but get curious.

Since questions were begging to be answered, Darren found it advantageous that Zaramanni would be staying around for a while, if she chooses to stay in Zenrada.

And, Darren hoped, for her safety, that she would do just that.

~

After pulling his baggy shirt over his body, he grabbed his bow and arrow which he intended to use for a late-night round of archery.

He was about to step out when Sham announced his presence by clearing his throat.

Turning to face the man who had been promoted from the status of omega to gamma wolf, Darren eagerly asked, “Have you found any lead?”

The shorter man walked closer and the led lights exposed the arrow resting in his hold.

“This is all we have.”

Darren lifted a brow. “What about it?”

Sham displayed the feathery end of the weapon. “A closer look at the inscription on the end of the shaft exposes a writing that exalts the powers of the Vampire Overlord.”

“A weapon from Skullis?”

Sham nodded. “Our best guess is that one of the vampires that aided the fairies in attacking Zenrada is still around.” Before Darren could utter his next word, Sham said, “I have sent out a handful of our elite guards to search the woods and beyond. If we don’t capture this vampire, our people will be in danger.”

“We have to guard our entry and exit points as well,” the King added as his mind raced with many thoughts.

”I will work with Beta Zoey to come up with an effective strategy.”

”Good,” replied King Darren, a thick breath escaping him as his hands went behind him and as his eyes stared at the weapon that struck Zaramanni. “How is she doing?”

Sham knew who he was talking about and King Darren felt a little bothered by that.

“She is surprisingly doing well. She said she is hardly in pain and I am shocked to hear that.”

”That is a good thing.” Darren walked closer to Sham and placed many pats on his right shoulder. “I know you are very busy with the affairs of the kingdom, but can you keep an eye on Zaramanni when you can?”

A curt nod followed. ”I will make sure to protect her, Your Majesty.”

“Good. You may leave now.”

”Do you want me to send one of our men to escort you to the archery grounds?” Sham asked, his gaze planted on the weapon on the wooden table.

Darren shook his head. “I will be fine. I need to clear my head.”

”Have a good rest, Your Majesty.”

”Hmm,” the king replied to his guard. And as Sham stepped out, Darren realized he was right about something.

Someone knew Zaramanni’s true identity.

And should that creature turn out to be a vampire, then he had found more reasons to make sure Zaramanni remained in Zenrada.

She had to be protected no matter what.