Death's Consort; His Destined Queen

"You.. you... you monster, " Eleanor stuttered out in horror, pointing accusingly at me. I had frozen over the bleeding guest who had puncture wounds almost all over his neck. Blood gushed out in spurts from the holes of wounds.

A series of loud gasps filled the air immediately as the crowd of curious onlookers got to the scene.

An older gentleman with kind eyes, a doctor from a neighbouring pack, rushed forward to attempt to help the vile man on the floor.

He shook his head lightly. "The punctures run through some arteries. I'm afraid he's cold."

I took a sharp intake of air. I had momentarily forgotten to breathe. The fear that had gripped me had made me lose all senses of flight.

He cleaned his bloody hands with his handkerchief and ran his fingers through his hair as he stood up, his eyes finding Eleanor's, before turning to quickly glance at me quizzically. I remained still, frozen over in shock.

The not-so-tiny ivory knitting hook was still in my grip. My eyes were unfocused and wide as I shivered in the cold night.

A clanking of metals sounded from somewhere close by. I wanted to run, to disappear.

"Whack!" my cheeks turned sharply and harshly grated against the cold rough floor as a heavy slap effectively forced my eyes open from the tormenting memory.

My throat was so dry and parched that I couldn't make a sound without scorching pain. Hence, my instant regret at the gasp that tore through my throat at the harsh awakening. "It's time, you piece of filth," a guard drawled leisurely.

Pain radiated through my cheek to my jaw and neck, and I moved my hand to soothe it.

The guard who lurked over me sneered disdainfully as if I had wronged him all his life and tugged my hair, dragging me out of the cell. More pain clouded my senses and my vision blurred.

But none of that compared to the ache in my chest. I felt bitter and pained. Maybe if my mother had not abandoned me, nor was I sold to McCarthy, then perhaps, I would not be in this situation.

I have been loathed all my life in this pack. I was the household slave and was treated just like that.

As to what warranted the hate, I have no idea. It had been present for as far back as I could remember.

I kept my head down while he literally dragged me out of the cell and through the long corridors to the pack square, which was a few furlongs away from the training field.

"Death is too easy for, you witch" "This despicable thing should not have been allowed in the pack in the first place"

"I wonder how Anna survived breathing in the same environment as her" "Ew, I can't even imagine it"

"McCarthy should have sold her to some rogues years back." "Maybe, I mean, poor Sydney might still be alive"

"Can you believe what I heard? They said she claimed Sydney wanted to rape her" "Hahaha, girl, you're kidding, right?? This piece of borrowed shit?? No fucking way!"

"I said the same thing. I would have dropped my panties in a second if Sydney so much as looked at me for even 5 seconds!"

"PST, I would have jumped him if he had ever looked my way for just a second! Damn! All that hotness just laid to waste!" "By a scumb-"

Elder Anton raised his hand to silence the excited crowd when the guard finally threw me in front of the scaffold. My knees scratched the wooden floors and started bleeding immediately.

My heartbeat skyrocketed, and my palms became sweaty. This Elder didn't seem to like me much compared to the other Elders.

When they came to investigate my unfortunate accident the day before, he insinuated that I was sent by an enemy pack to probably kill McCarthy, and that was likely why I was caught on the compound by Sydney who tried to stop me and ended up my victim.

After his statement, none of the Elders seemed to believe anything I said. Why would they?

"As you all know, we are all gathered here to serve justice to the family of Sydney Garrett, who was brutally murdered without cause," my head snapped up at those words, and my eyes bored directly into his briefly.

The anxiety, pain and fear I felt earlier grew into morbid anger. I clenched my tiny fists and wished I had an inkling of strength. I would have wiped out this entire pack.

The Southern section, where I found myself, was vile and unkind to omegas and slaves, and worse to me.

The Central section was too comfortable and busy enjoying their royalties since they were close to the Alpha and Luna. They cared less about the affairs of the southern sector.

McCarthy handled the affairs of the southern people, so he was powerful enough to get me out of this mess. But when had he ever stood up for me? Never.

Someway somehow, I had hoped that McCarthy would have even acknowledged to the Elders that I was his slave. Maybe then they might have heard me out.

Then maybe I may not be here at my own execution. "and to witness the execution of the perpetrator of this atrocity!"

I lowered my head again at that as I blinked hard to stop the hot tears threatening to escape. If I was going to die today, the least I could do was to pretend to be strong, for once.

It would be a shame to give these evil spawns my tears. I bet that would make them very happy like it always did. All this time, being a slave in McCarthy's household, they had enjoyed my pain and tears.

"I stand here on behalf of the Council, who could not be present due to matters of utmost importance, and hereby give our final cast of judgment. The accused, Keturah, is found guilty of murder and is hereby sentenced to death at the guillotine, now!"

The crowd howled in excitement and eagerness at that, whereas the guards dragged me onto the scaffold.

I tried to break free and fought with every fibre left of my being. I bit and scratched them, throwing my legs and arms around blindly in an attempt to escape.

I was desperate. This couldn't be all I could amount to! I had to find my mother and curse her for leaving me here, of all places.

I may not have anything to live for but I was looking forward to meeting my mate on my 19th birthday. It was just a few days away.

The guard from earlier smacked my head with something hard. The vision went dark and ringing bells sounded in my head.

I may have passed out for a second because when my vision cleared, I was secured under the pillory.

Some of the younger wolves started throwing trash and rotten foods at me while laughing, and the tears that I had tried so hard to hold in, burst out freely.

"I didn't mean to", I hiccuped, attempting to explain what happened again. " I know, and know that I'll always be with you." A voice replied to me.

I darted my eyes around searching to see the female guard who had replied. "Wh... who are you?" I stuttered out.

Laughter broke out amongst the guards as they pulled my hair back. "She's going mad!" they burst out in laughter again, this time, eliciting more mocking laughter from the crowd gathered.

"Katya. You can call me Kat. You'll meet me soon when we shift." this time, I realised the voice came from inside my head.

"Maybe I am going mad." I thought to myself.

"Kat, well, we're dying any second from now"

"I know. I also know what happened, and I'm here for you regardless." I sighed in resignation as more tears ran down.

My position in the pillory made my neck and back hurt, coupled with all the pain from the beatings and scratches and bruises.

It hurt everywhere. I couldn't even focus on a particular pain. I broke out into sobs, feeling pathetic and wronged.

"It's all real. Maybe, in the afterlife, I'll have a good and happy life." I said even though my heart was trying to jump out of my chest at the thought of another unfortunate life.

"I hope so too," Katya's soft voice whispered sorrowfully.

"NOW!" Elder Anton ordered.

"I can't watch this," Kat said and retreated to the back of my mind. "No, no, no, Kat... I thought you were here for me. Oh Selene, Moon Goddess, how cursed am I, that even my wolf deserts...." The sound of the blade being dropped led me right into the afterlife before it reached my sore neck.

"Alpha!" Rafael came barging into my lair. A groan tore out from my throat at the sudden intrusion and sound.

"She is being sentenced to death for murder! The little girl you sent to McCarthy. Here! He just sent a letter to inform you about it. The Council is involved."

A loud growl followed suit, shaking the walls of the room that suddenly felt too small. My wolf and beast perked up at the information.

"When?" Draco's deep raspy voice asked. The temperamental ass had forced himself out to inquire.

Draco was my beast and was always ready to explode, hence why I isolated myself from my pack a lot of times. I snorted at him, and Diego, my wolf, growled at me.

Both of them had been more edgy since three nights ago. They were infuriating and overbearing, usually, but these days had been worse.

"This morning.... Uh... maybe right n..." Rafael didn't get a chance to complete his response when we whizzed past him.

The sudden anger and fear that pulsed through all three of us at the thought of her dying was inexplainable.

I heard Rafael sigh in relief and my anger spiked. "You're coming with me. Have Derrick take over". "Yes, Alpha!."

He had been trying to get me out of my lair but to no avail. And Draco might have threatened him about plucking his legs off if he bothered us again.

He paused for a second, probably to mind link Derrick, and then he shifted to follow our scent. Rafael was my Beta and Derrick was the Gamma.

Raf's wolf stood a proud 6 '2, quite a few feet far from Diego, and roughly 8 inches from Draco. We only shifted into Draco's form when we were at war.

Raf caught up quite easily. The trees whizzed past us while we ran, and in a few minutes, we were skidding to a stop in the middle of the Moonsdale Pack Square.

My paws moved again before I even thought of it. Diego slashed one of his heavy claws through the pillory at an insane speed and he dragged the unconscious girl from the structure before the blade could sever her head off.

The rage that pulsed between us at the thought of what would have happened if we were a second late had my hind legs digging deeply into the ground.

I couldn't see or think clearly. All we saw was Red.

Rafael stood in his 5 ft 8 dark brown wolf between the crowd and Ime The fools were now blinking fast in surprise and shock. Pin-drop silence filled the entire square.

The Royal Guards who came with Elder Anton stepped forward to protect their master. Anton was visibly sweating as he should. I remember the last time I saw him.

"If you don't kill that imp, I will, and you know I will make a spectacle of it", I gritted out to Diego.

Diego snarled as he stalked towards Anton.

Rafael approached us cautiously, but Diego didn't attempt to hand the girl over to him, so he stepped back and covered us. Not like we needed it.

"You are rather fortunate this time. If you so much as breathe in the direction of my mate aga..." A shocked gasp went through the crowd as they started moving back fearfully, "... I will make sure each member of your council receives a part of your body as a souvenir." Anton gulped nervously and nodded rapidly as he suddenly found himself directly in front of Diego.

"I- I swear I- I- I didn't know she- she- aaaagghhhh!! aaaggggghhh!!!" He wailed out as he held the stump left of his left arm.

He ran backwards cowardly, not minding that he stepped over his now headless guards lying on the bloodied floor.

Draco's fury ripped through the atmosphere, and this time, even I didn't want him to hold back. He had taken over from Diego when Anton opened his mouth to speak.

The pack members, who had just realised who they had angered, immediately disappeared in a stampede after witnessing such a gruesome sight, hoping to save themselves from the fury of the god.

His reputation surpassed him, yet some thought he was just a myth, told to scare away little pups. Fucking wolves. Diego bared his canines at me, pissed off.

This group of idiots were a bit farther from the Centre of Moonsdale, where their Packhouse stood.

The training centre and recess parks were held here, away from the elegant and sophisticated areas of the main packhouse.

Those here lived in their own homes but were welcomed to the pack house, as was the case in most packs.

Diego took over and took off with our mate. Rafael followed closely behind. His eyes glazed over as he sent a mind link, probably to Derrick.

Rafael was a reliable Beta and I was very lucky to find him. He always knew what to do and the right time to do it. When he became my Beta, I only had to help him hone his strength and fighting skills.

"You should have killed that prick! What part of killing him did you not understand, you stupid wolf?" Draco fumed.

"You better watch your mouth, boy. We have more important things to deal with than that. She is our mate. Truly." Diego said.

" That's not possible.... How? How is this possible?" I asked.

" She has our heart, it can't be." Draco ranted out to Diego, who had just handed over control to me.

I immediately felt and recognised the sparks and the mate bond. "Selene finally took pity on us," I murmured.

"You bet? She might just take her back just to spite us" Draco replied sorrowfully.

In no time, we were back to Red Creek. We carried our still-unconscious mate to our room in the pack house and laid her on the bed. We contemplated cleaning her ourselves, but on second thought, I sent for Marie.

I didn't trust myself to be around her and not lose control, and I definitely didn't trust Draco or Diego to.

Marie was a mother figure in Red Creek. She fed almost all the pack members each day. Some of the teen wolves helped her cook and clean.

She had assisting omegas, too, but they were all treated well. I made sure every member of the pack, especially omegas, was treated right. Unlike some other packs that treated omegas like dirt. I also abolished slavery in my pack.

Marie came into my room with a bowl of warm water, towels and disinfectants, and spotted the young girl in the bed. "O, zeița mea a lunii; Sărmanul." (Oh my Moon Goddess; the poor thing). She murmured under her breath.

She grabbed a towel and started cleaning her. I stole one last glance at my mate and strode out of the room.

She probably reminded Marie of her own daughter, who had passed years back in a rogue attack when she was on her way back from school.

At the time, a lot of enemies were trying to take the pack from me. I had just ascended the throne when the attack started.

She didn't blame me, but I blamed myself. If I was stronger and faster then, she would be alive.

"Deimos, please, return immediately. It's the girl. She- she-" Marie's distressed voice reached out to me in a mind link.

"aaagghhh.... I'm dead and unfortunate in the afterlife too. This darkness and someone touching me." I gasped in realisation,

"No, no, no, no. Please! Don't touch me. I'm sorry, please. I didn't mean to. I just wanted you to leave me alone... please.." I sobbed.

A vigorous shake of my body made me snap my eyes open in fear and horror. I definitely did not recognize the aura of the environment I woke up in.

"Nu am vrut să te sperii, draga mea" ( I didn't mean to scare you, my dear) a gentle voice spoke. The calmness of the voice gave me goosebumps and increased my fear.

"So it's also a different language here! The Goddess must hate me! Get away from me, you deceiving monster!!"

"Hush, my dear, you're safe here. Calm down." the voice sounded feminine and soft and managed to ease my anxiety gradually.

I calmed down enough to focus on my vision. I turned my head towards the sound of the voice and then realised that the room was actually illuminated.

My fear had made me presume the darkness from my closed eyelids was my new reality. I sighed in relief before suddenly tensing up again, realising I had hurt the kind-looking woman.

She had a motherly smile and seemed understanding. "Who are you? Are you the goddess? I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like that." I started to panic at the thought of angering the Moon Goddess.

"Where am I? The afterlife looks like the world I came from. I didn't even get new clothes? Did I do something bad in my previous life that made you hate me-?" My voice cracked and I lowered my head to hide the tears that were now spilling over my cheeks in torrents.

"What??" the woman asked, perplexed.

Her reaction deepened my confusion.

"Dear, you're in Moon Creek. No, I am not the Moon Goddess. No, you're not in the afterlife, you're still very much alive. And my name is Marie and I'll get you a change of clothes in a moment." She offered calmly.

"For now, you can use the bathroom over there to take a quick shower. I'll be right back with your clothes." She added and then rushed out and left the room.

My confusion spiralled out of control. I heard the blade of the guillotine drop. I was supposed to be dead. It wasn't possible.

"Damn, this place looks expensive. It's not even the afterlife and we have gotten a nice place. Feel the bed? Hummmn, so soft " Kat let out dreamily.

I had forgotten about meeting her. I mean, I thought I was dead, and she was with her mother, Selene.

"You selfish bitch, go back where you came from. You left me to die alone!" I hurled at her.

"Silly girl, I was going to die with you. I just chose to be asleep when it happened. Luckily, it didn't, so why be sour, Urah?" I rolled my eyes at my dramatic wolf and headed to the bathroom.

"We are actually pretty," Kat commented as soon as we saw our view in the mirror. I ignored her and stepped into the shower.

The shower was complicated. It had a lot of buttons and weird things on it. I didn't know how to use it since I never had one back at Moonsdale. I slept in the basement and only used a bucket and towels.

I took the shower head and pressed a button. It started moving around like a snake. I pressed another button and it jumped out of my hands.

Water moved everywhere. I never knew that showers were like evil possessions. Maybe that was why Anna, Eleanor's daughter kept ages in the bathroom each time.

I still had to bathe, so I wrestled with the shower hose for a while. After I managed to get a decent wash, I tried to turn off the shower.

I pressed the buttons one after the other, trying to find the right one to turn it off when a man came in.

Kat perked up immediately.

I dropped the shower in fright and tried to hide my intimate parts.

The spiralling showerhead drenched the man, and I watched curiously as he bent to pick it up.

"Mate! Mate! I want mate. Go to mate!" She screeched excitedly in my head. My eyes turned wide as I watched him.

He pressed a knob I hadn't noticed before and the shower went off.

I was torn between being excited, being embarrassed and being afraid.

When he raised his head, I swallowed, hard.

I stood there, staring at him with my eyes wide and mouth open.

His face was sharp and hard, and his eyes, his eyes were a piercing icy blue colour that sucked you in. He had a crescent-shaped mark on his left cheek that seemed to glow.

I felt my face flush hotly and I lowered my eyes. I gulped at the view of his lower body. He was drenched and his clothes clung to his skin.

He had a lean and muscular body and he was insanely tall. I could possibly reach just beneath his chest.

Something huge and long shifted in his trousers and I stared in awe and worry.

He cleared his throat and I raised my eyes to look at him. He smirked knowingly and I felt my face turn crimson in embarrassment. He had caught me staring.

He groaned painfully and I resisted the strong urge to check if he was fine. His eyes started to change between blue, gold and red.

My feet moved on their own towards him. Kat didn't help matters either, as she insisted I help, mate.

Before I could reach him he growled loudly. I jumped back in fright and watched him cautiously. When his eyes settled back to icy blue, I lowered my head and shrank back, hoping to be invisible.

"Look at me." He ordered. I lifted my head immediately, "Don't look down ever again. You will walk with your head high. Do you understand?"

" But-"

"Do you understand?" He asked again, this time with a bit more authority. I nodded quickly as heat pooled in between my legs.

"Words. Use your words."

"Yes, Sir" My heart was beating crazily at the absurdity of his orders, and I was even more confused as to why I was enjoying his orders. I wanted to please him so badly, and that was alarming.

"fuck!" His huge member jumped again in his trousers, and I felt a liquid trickle down my legs.

I squeezed my thighs together involuntarily and I heard him groan painfully again. This time, I didn't try to go close to him.

"If you need anything, ask Marie." He croaked out and turned around to leave.

"Did you bring me here? Do you have something to do with why I'm still alive?" I hoped he might know something. He had a strong aura, like an Alpha or Elder.

He paused by the door, "You're safe here. No one will come for you. You are mine." He asserted with his deep baritone voice.

"Your eyes, they changed to gold and red earlier. What are you? And what do you mean by me being yours? Did you buy me off? Are you my new master?" I inquired curiously.

He groaned in annoyance and took a step to leave, but I followed him out of the bathroom hurriedly. I had to know, at least, how I got here alive.

He turned around sharply, "What is your name, little one?" He asked crisply.

"Keturah, but Kat calls me Urah" He raised an eyebrow curiously before suddenly dropping it, his mood shifting once again.

"Keturah, whatever gave you the impression that you can question me and talk to me like that, must be calling you back to an early grave. Mate or not, don't test my limits." He gritted out, his eyes flashing from blue to red and back.

I immediately shrank back in fear and confusion and ran back to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I had assumed he was kind and nice since he helped me with the shower.

"Mate! Mate! You made our mate mad! If he doesn't accept us, I'll disown you, you silly girl! We're alive and in a beautiful room and probably a pack house, and you want to trade it for unnecessary questions?? Just be grateful and let's enjoy our second chance at life before you make it our last!" Kat fumed at me.

I started to wonder if she really was a part of me or was against me. I looked forward to meeting my mate but I didn't expect him to be this handsome and mean.

"Okay. I am sorry. I felt the sparks, but I thought it was in my head. I will apologise to mate. I want to experience the joy of the mate bond too. But I'm scared. Do you think he wants us? He seemed annoyed at me," I murmured meekly to Kat, but she had blocked me.

After taking a long shower, I found a sundress and a pair of underwear on the bed, along with other essentials. I quickly dressed up and stepped out of the room.

My mission was to find my mate and apologise for earlier. And then hopefully find food. I was starving.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest and held the doorframe to steady myself. Kat perked up and howled in pain.

"What's wrong with you, Kat? Are you still being dramatic? I'm going to find mate so stop your silly games" I tried to reach her but she had blocked me again.

A faint sound from somewhere down the corridor made me go in that direction. I didn't hear it again and was about to turn back when I heard it again.

I got to the door next to the last one. My chest clenched so painfully that I nearly fell. If I didn't eat soon, I might pass out; I thought and steadied myself.

When the pain subsided a bit, I pushed the door open. Pain wracked through my chest so hard.

My vision blurred, and my world shifted on its feet right before I could say anything more.