Chapter 5 A Bad Omen.

Chapter Four: A Bad Omen.

A day after the wedding, King Thrain had invited Ryker to the king's court. It was in the antechamber just off the throne room. King Thrain and the members of The king's court were waiting for him.

Ryker eyes narrowed as he sat down, his gaze fixed on King Thrain "Father, I heard some disturbing things about King Valois".

"Disturbing things?" King Thrain asked with a raised eyebrow. "But King Valois is dead, "

"Indeed". He commented, "They say King Valois has a son,".

"Where did you hear about this?"

"Is it true?".

"Apparently So" King Thrain responded.

Ryker jerked his head back "Don't you think we ought to do something about it".

"When I took the throne of Aldergrove the skull of King Valois was kept in this room, it was the size of an apple" King Thrain's voice remained steady, his eyes calm and collected. "Curiosities on the far side of the world are no threat to us" King Thrain.

"But how do we know if it is just curiosities and not another beast that could start a war?".

"Nonsense". King Thrain snorted "He is not foolish enough to start a war with us. Even if he starts a war we will kill him the way we killed his father".

Ryker couldn't argue with his logic and he hated the fact that his words were able to sway his resolve and that he could only stand there and agree with everything he said.

"The meeting is over" King Thrain dismissed everyone.

Ryker got up from the chair and he bowed his head slightly before leaving. "Your majesty".

He walked out of the room, leaving the king and the court members.

..................

After the meeting with his father, Ryker made his way to the dungeon where he had captured a vampire. He had the vampire chained with silver chains.

The vampire's name was Karen. After months of interrogating, he refused to answer any questions that Ryker asked. In return, the guards will cut off each of his fingers and peel off his skin slowly.

Ryker then brought out a wooden stake and pressed it to Xaren's heart, his eyes burning as he glared into Ryker's eyes. Xaren was so cold that he was afraid that he might get killed just by touching him. But he glared into Xaren's eyes and drove the stake even more into his chest.

"I'm going to ask you this once," He said. "Who sent you?".

"Fuck you!". Xaren said spitting on his feet.

Ryker shook his head and began to twist the stake into his chest. At first, Xaren tried to remain defiant, even in the face of unbearable torture. He gritted his teeth and growled as the stake went deeper into his chest. He began to feel a burning sensation in his chest, he realized that Ryker wasn't going to stop soon. That he didn't care if he died.

"Wait". He exclaimed. "Please I'll tell you what you need to know, but please don't kill me".

Ryker straightened up, with a smirk on his face. "Well, that was easy". He said. "Go on, I'm listening".

"I was sent to gather information about King Thrain's forces," he said.

"Is that all?" Ryker asked.

"Yes," he replied. "It was all I was told to do. I swear it."

"And who was it that sent you?"

Xaren paled, and his eyes grew wide in shock. He like he was going to break into tears. Ryker had seen enough times to know the look. Xaren was afraid of whoever had sent him.

"Was it King Valois's son?" he asked.

Ryker saw the way Xaren's eyes widened in fear, and he began trembling like a reed in the wind. Xaren hands shook uncontrollably as blood spilled from his eyes as he cried.

Ryker mouth fell open he was surprised by what he was witnessing. His eyes rolled back into his skull, his mouth, and nose bringing out blood. His fangs protruded suddenly.

Xaren screamed so loud from his mouth. It was a shill, terrible cry and it echoed all through the entire dungeon, so loud that Ryker thought his eardrums were going to explode. He stood back and watched as Xaren burned into flames, the red light exploding in the dungeon. Xaren was gone.

"Fuck!" he groaned staring at the pile of ash.

Ryker knew that King Valois's son was plotting an attack. He had cast a spell on the vampires so that none of them would betray him.

His wolf, Lykain could sense a bad omen.

....................

Ryker entered his chambers after the incident with the vampire. He sat down on the bed when he heard a knock on his door.

"Come in". He said

His gaze fell on Lylah. Lylah closed the door behind her, her eyes locked onto Ryker as she approached him.

"Lylah, what are you doing here?". Ryker asked.

"I couldn't stay away from you, I missed you, I missed us".

She started coming closer to him and tried to kiss him.

"Lylah, this is not the time for this," Ryker said pushing her away.

Lylah's eyes filled with tears, and her body became cold "You are acting strange". She said.

"Strange, how?"

"You fucked me one night and the next night you are married to Ayla Nightwalker," Lylah said.

"What are you talking about?".

"You are supposed to make me your Luna, not her!".

"I never promised you a future Lylah" he responded.

Lylah stood there frozen, her chest aching as tears dropped from her eyes. "What about all the nights we shared, I thought our connection meant something"

Ryker expression remained unreadable "Connection?" Ryker spat. "Did you think I was going to marry you?"

"What"

"We had sex like every other adult. I never made you a fucking promise"

Lylah burst into tears as she ran out of the room. Her footsteps faded into the distance. The room fell silent for the faint sound of Lylah's sobs echoing from outside.