Chapter 3 WHO IS HE

CHAPTER 3: MINE!

King Barakar walked into his tent after a while and found Raya standing, fidgeting. She quickly fell on her knees, looking down. Squinting his eyes, he wondered what was going on.

"M- My Lord. Please forgive me for not recognizing you. I have never been outside Ravenhill, and I may not have paid proper attention to be able to recognize you. Please, spare me. Please!" she begged.

The king looked at her stoically, then he calmly walked over to the table, poured himself a glass of wine, and drank it partially. Setting the cup down, he turned and looked at Raya.

"Have a seat."

Raya wasn't sure she heard right, so she was hesitant.

But the Alpha King didn't repeat himself. So she slowly got up and sat down at the other end of the table. It was a make-shift table so they weren't far apart.

Tales she heard about the Alpha King growing up contributed immensely to her fear.

"Go on. Eat," he said. Raya gulped, afraid that he might be testing her.

"This isn't a test," he said, having read her mind again. "Why would I save you from those savages to end up hurting you?"

Well, that made sense to Raya. Thus, it calmed her tumultuous heart.

She went ahead and began eating, but was uncomfortable as the king sat, looking at her.

King Barakar soon got up and began heading out, then Raya got up quickly before he exited the tent.

"Change into the raiment you were given when you're done eating," he said and began walking out, not waiting for her response.

"Yes, my Lord," her voice trailed off as she got up and bowed. She sat back down and sighed.

"The king is much younger than I thought," she muttered. She found herself smiling, not realizing when she did, nor where the excitement stemmed from.

When she was done eating, she got up and washed her face so as to change into the raiment. As she took off her dress, she found that the injury on her arm was completely healed.

"How is it gone?" she wondered, assuming the King must have done something to heal her. She went ahead and got dressed.

The raiment was just the right size. She liked how fluffy it felt, but she couldn't deny it was heavier than the clothes she had been wearing all her life.

Leaving the tent, she saw that it was daybreak already. She saw King Barakar talking with the man who led her into the tent, and he was no longer shirtless.

She then noticed that everyone in the camp stared at her, creeping her out.

"Don't blame them. King Barakar has never shown a female such hospitality, after he lost his Luna ten years ago," someone said not too far from where she stood.

After unloading some water into a bath, he walked away as Raya looked at him.

Some soldiers began taking some horses as some of them assembled. But there was a particular horse - a white horse, which was beautifully adorned. Raya knew right away who the horse was for.

The Alpha King and the person he spoke with then walked to meet the assembled soldiers. And one of the soldiers ran and met Raya.

"His Majesty asks that you join us."

"Oh! Uh, okay," she nodded and began following the soldier.

"Pardon me for asking, but where is His Majesty going?" Raya inquired cautiously.

"To Ravenhill."

Raya froze, stunned by what she heard. All sorts of emotions began springing up in her, and her heart raced.

'Does he want to hand me back to them? I didn't escape Ravenhill to end up back there! I can't go back there.'

Her head swirled as negative thoughts invaded.

"Are you okay?" the soldier asked her, but she was beside herself.

"What's the delay?"

"I'm sorry, lord Ravna," the soldier answered the man who led Raya into the Alpha King's tent. He grabbed her by the arm and led her to the company. She knew she dared not protest against the King's demand, defying him.

She got on a horse by herself then they rode off, with three bannermen riding in front, three soldiers followed the bannermen, then the Alpha King and Ravna riding side by side, and Raya following behind them, with four other soldiers at the rear.

Raya felt uneasy as they headed back to the place she dreaded. All she could do was brace herself for whatever was to come her way.

As they got close to the city, they heard the city bell from the watchtower being struck. The soldiers had spotted the Alpha King's company approaching.

The gates swung wide open just as they arrived, and they rode in unhindered, the soldiers at the gate bowing. Everyone in the streets cleared the way and bowed their heads as they passed.

They were all stunned at the sudden appearance of the King, making them wonder what had brought him. He hardly ever left the Iron Den, his fortress.

Heading straight to the palace, they met some soldiers gathered in front of it. The elders, the Priestess, Jamey, Victoria, and the lords of Ravenhill were there as well to welcome the Alpha King.

Halting his horse, the Alpha King's white horse snorted, steadying itself. Raya got off her horse and kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.

"Your Majesty," Jamey bowed as he walked forward, as did everyone with him. "Welcome to Ravenhill."

The King nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Your visit took us all by surprise," Jamey chuckled nervously. "Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared you a more befitting welcome. Please, forgive us."

"I see congratulations are in order. Ravenhill now has a Luna," King Barakar said.

"Yes," Jamey replied, as Victoria stepped forward, and genuflected courteously.

"I am Victoria, your humble servant, and Luna of the Greyhound pack."

"A fine choice, young Alpha," King Barakar commended, making Jamey smile. He then got off his horse, as did Ravna.

"Your journey from Winterhill must have been strenuous. Please, let us treat you to some delicacies as you freshen up, my Lord," Jamey requested.

"Be my guest," King Barakar nodded. Then he turned to Raya.

"Follow us."

Her heart thumped at his request. The attention of the people turned to her. Victoria looked furrowing her brow as Raya walked toward the King. Recognizing her, Victoria grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back.

"You! Where do you think you're going?" she snarled.

'Crap! They've found me. It's over.'

Raya quivered, unable to control her fright.

"How dare you set foot here?" Jamey asked fuming. Lifting a hand to strike Raya, she squirmed in fear, but his hand was caught mid-air. He turned and saw that it was the Alpha King who held his hand.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" he growled. Jamey looked perplexedly at the King.

"But she is nothing. She's just an unwanted omega," Jamey said.

"Not anymore," King Barakar replied. "She is mine! She is my mate!"

Everyone's eyes popped out in shock at the declaration of the Alpha King. Raya most especially.