The First King

Prew stood in her room, looking out of a window that faced the front of the castle. She watched as people arrived either on horseback or in wolf form. Today was the day of her wedding to Konrad, and every second leading up to it filled her with dread. This day, this marriage, was an inescapable nightmare for her. It also did not help that Konrad was insufferable since his arrival. They barely said a few words to one another, and he constantly glared at her.

She finally turned away from the window and looked at her bed. Laying across her covers was a gray satin dress with white fur on the collar and cuffs. It had once belonged to her mother. Though she had been dead for a few years, she could recall how she looked in the dress. Her mother was an elegant woman, with grace and dignity. But all of her beauty, all of her grandeur, was no match for a sickness that had plagued their kingdom.

With shaky hands, she slowly slipped into her mother's dress. The fabric was slightly itchy against her skin. The satin, the fine hairs of the fur, these were not things that she wore normally. As she pinned her hair up, she watched herself transform in the mirror. To her, she was unrecognizable. Though, in her mind, perhaps it was a good thing. She could mentally escape, pretend to be someone else, anything to make what would happen later easier for her.

Once her nerves had settled, she made her way downstairs. In Sella Castle, there was one large hall used for all types of celebrations and gatherings. Beside the closed door was Porter, waiting patiently for her.

"You look so much like your mother," he whispered as she stopped beside him. "Seeing you wearing her dress, it makes me miss her dearly."

"I miss her, too," she replied as her voice wavered.

"Are you nervous?"

"I'm just ready for it to be over with," she admitted as she looked up at her father.

"It'll be quick," he assured her, wrapping an arm around hers. "First, there are the vows, then you two shall be crowned as king and queen. Afterward, we shall feast."

"Lastly is the bedding ceremony," she grumbled.

Porter started to reply, but he paused when the doors before them were opened. There was a hush that fell over the hall as Prew and Porter came into view. Konrad was the only one who stood at the far end, waiting on them. Behind him were two thrones with crowns resting on the seats.

Prew did her best to focus on her breathing. Her heart was racing, beating erratically until her chest began to hurt. As they walked, she counted her steps. One… Two… Three… she did anything and everything to pull her mind away from what was happening.

Porter released her when they were beside Konrad. Prew looked at the man who stood beside her. Half of his head was freshly shaven, while the other side was long and smoothed out. His blue eyes glanced at her, taking in every facet of her outfit. She looked beautiful, but something wasn't right. She seemed so uncomfortable, so out of place. This wasn't Prew; this wasn't the woman who had caused him to question fate.

"Please, hold hands," Porter instructed as he stood on a small platform beside them. Once their hands were together, he cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, Kings and Alphas, today we gather to join not only this man and woman but two races."

"It is unfortunate that we only find the time to talk and compromise when danger looms over our heads," he continued. "But fear drives us all. It forces us to make choices and sacrifices. Except for today; today, we gather to watch a bond form. A bond that will strengthen kingdoms and packs. A bond that will protect us all from the danger and darkness that haunts us."

Porter took two rings from a pocket. He gave one to Konrad and then one to Prew.

"Konrad, do you take Prew Holbrook, Princess of Guilford, as your lawful wife? Even with all of her strengths and faults? Do you vow to cherish and protect her, to honor and love her?"

"I do," Konrad answered as he slipped a gold ring onto her finger.

"Prew, do you take Konrad, Alpha of the Wild Haer pack, as your lawful husband? Even with all of his strengths and faults? Do you vow to cherish and respect him, to honor and love him?"

"I do," she replied softly, putting an identical ring on his hand.

"Love endures all things, and so shall this marriage. I pronounce you husband and wife!" Porter smiled. "You may kiss the bride."

Konrad leaned in, but he kissed her cheek rather than kissing her lips. Once he pulled back, cheers erupted from the crowd. He released her hands and turned to face everyone. Prew glanced at her father, who also motioned for her to turn.

"Now, not only do we create a bond through marriage, but through titles as well," Porter stated as he picked up one of the crowns. "At this moment, I shall no longer be the King of Guilford. Instead, it shall be Konrad. He shall hold both the titles of King and Alpha."

Porter set the crown on top of Konrad's head. It dug into the skin of his shaved scalp, but he did not voice any complaints. After Porter proclaimed Prew queen, he placed a smaller, similar crown upon her head. The cheering continued, though neither Konrad nor Prew seemed pleased.

Hours went by agonizingly slow for the newlyweds. There was feasting, drinking, and dancing, but there was no excitement at the head table. Only gloom and anger seemed to fester, turning their faces sour as the hours went by. Finally, once the sun had set and the moon was well into the sky, the celebrations came to an end. One by one, the attendees left until all that remained were those who lived within the castle. Konrad was the first to stand, indicating that he was ready to leave the hall. Prew slowly stood to her feet, leading the way out.

She quietly walked toward her bedroom while Konrad followed a few paces behind her. She did her best to calm her nerves, but she could see that her hand trembled as she reached for the handle to her room. With a deep exhale, she opened the door. Once both were inside, Konrad closed the door with a loud thud, causing Prew to jump slightly.

She did not even look at him. There was no need for it. She knew what he was here to do, what they needed to do together, but she was nervous. This whole thing was new to her. She had never been with a man, never saw a need for it. But now, here she was, expected to be with someone who she didn't even know.

Konrad watched as she looked down at her hands. He could see that she was visibly shaking. But he could not understand why. Was she scared? Nervous? Regretful of her choice?

"It doesn't matter," Nero huffed. "Just take her so we can go back to our mate."

Konrad clenched his fists at his wolf's words. He couldn't let himself get lost in his thoughts on Prew, on her feelings. He approached her slowly and placed a hand on her back, sending shivers up her spine. He turned her to face the bed and then swiftly pushed on the back of her neck. He kept going until she was lying on her stomach. He lifted the hem of her dress as he unbuttoned his pants.

At first, Prew was confused as to why he was pushing her forward onto the bed. But then she could feel what he was doing. He was going to take her right there, no warming up, no foreplay, nothing. Her heart raced as she began to struggle underneath him. Konrad had to let go of his pants and grab onto her with both hands in an attempt to control her. Prew sent one of her elbows back, jabbing him in his side. He grunted as he staggered backward, releasing his grip on her. She quickly ran her hand under the corner of her mattress and pulled out a knife. She spun around, placing the blade directly against his neck, causing it to sizzle against his skin. Konrad froze when he noticed the silver dagger pressed against his throat.

"I will not be rutted like a dog!" She yelled at him.

"Why fight something that you wanted?!" He spat.

"Do you think that I want this? To be bent over the bed like some common whore?!"

"You agreed to be my wife, to be a queen, and lead the armies beside me!" He bellowed as he reached up to grip her wrist. He tried to force her away, but it caused her to push the tip of the blade through his skin.

"You think that I agreed to this?! I most certainly did not!" She hissed through gritted teeth. "I had no say in any of this! None!"

Konrad's eyes went wide as he looked at her. He could tell by her face that she was not lying. She was angry. Had she not been given a choice like he had? Is this why she did not back off even though he tried to push her away? He slowly released her as he looked down. The rage that he felt all day was suddenly gone, and all that was left was guilt. He had treated her so poorly, so rudely, and it was for nothing.

"Wait," she uttered as she stared at him. "Did you get a choice?"

"Yes," he murmured softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't know-"

"Don't you dare!" She snapped as she stepped back from him. Though she removed the knife from his throat, she still gripped the handle tightly, as if at any moment she would use it again. "Don't you dare feel pity for me!"

"I-I'm not," he insisted as he looked at her warily. "I… I just feel guilty."

"Why?"

"Because I have been trying to push you away, to get you to change your mind since we met at Linfell," he answered honestly.

"Why? Why would you push me away when you were the one who got a choice? Why did you not just say no and not put me through all of this?" She questioned harshly.

"Because I have to be the one to kill the witches," he confessed with a sigh. "I-I need to-"

"I know about your parents," she interrupted as she slowly lowered the dagger. He looked up at her, and she could see the hurt and the hatred that danced around his eyes like flames. "My father told me. And I understand. I would want to slaughter every last one of them if they dared harm someone that I loved. I also understand what it would mean for you to be king over the armies of many. You don't have to explain yourself, not to me. Just be honest, please."

"Going forward, I shall be honest with you."

"Good," she nodded with a slight smile. The two stood there, looking at one another awkwardly. "So, you married me for an army, and I married you because I was told to. Where does that leave us?"

"Would you be opposed to this just being a charade?" He inquired curiously.

"What do you propose?"

"We pretend to be married, call each other husband and wife. And then, after this is over, once the fighting is done, we annul our marriage," he suggested as he studied her face, looking for any signs of emotions. "Meanwhile, we live our lives how we want. You be with other men, I'll be with other women, and neither have to be involved. And should either of us pass, we move on."

"You mean, you have mistresses, and I have secret lovers," she reiterated with a frown.

"That's putting it bluntly, but yes," he nodded.

"I will only agree to this if your mistresses stay a secret, too," Prew stated after a moment of thought. "This marriage may be fake between us, but I will not be made a fool because you sleep with others openly. Do you understand? Because I will take this knife and-"

"I wish to keep the family jewels," he interjected as he stepped back from her. "All secret. No one will know, not even you."

"Good," she mumbled as she tossed the dagger onto the bed. "What do we do when people start to ask questions, like why I'm not marked or why I'm not with child?"

"We shall tell them that you refused to be marked," he answered, causing her to scowl. "But then, I will say that I do not want you with child until this war is over, whenever that may be. Deal?"

"Fine."

"Last thing, are you untouched?"

"Why do you want to know that?" She questioned as she crossed her arms.

"Because if I was supposed to take you, I need to know if your father will come looking for the evidence of our consummation." He replied as he reached for the dagger.

"Yes," she mumbled, looking away from him. "I am untouched."

"When this is over, I hope you find someone who deserves you," he commented as he pulled the covers back. He cut his palm with the blade and allowed for some of the blood to drip onto the sheets. He closed his hand up in a fist as steam began to emit from the wound. "You will make a good wife, hell, even a good Luna. It is a shame that you must waste your time with me."

Prew watched him, surprised by his words. He seemed sincere in the way he spoke, and somehow, it made her sad. He was with her purely for revenge, to bring honor to his dead parents. She could not imagine how much pain he was in.

"Now, get some sleep," he instructed as he approached her. He handed back her dagger and gently kissed her cheek. "We have the council meeting in the morning, and I fear it'll be a long one. But, I shall tell you here and now, if they ever try to force you to do something again, I will have your back. I swear it."

"Perhaps you'll need to hold me back instead," she countered with a smirk. "I may not be as forgiving the next time an old man tries to control my life."

"Depending on who the old man is, I may let you have at it," he chuckled as he headed to the door. "I have to say, now that you and I have had this discussion, I feel more comfortable with you. I mean it when I say that I look forward to fighting alongside you."

"Likewise," she replied as he left her room.

Once alone, she exhaled, as if she had held her breath the entire time he was in the room. This outcome was unexpected, but it was a relief. When this was over, she could go back to living her life as she had before. She could remarry any man, or wolf, if she wished to do that. If.