The First King

Nero stood on the edge of Linfell Lake. He looked back at the dozens of people who had followed him across the lands. After crossing two rivers and trekking through several kingdoms, they finally entered Guilford. It was the furthest his pack had to travel in several years. He could tell by the faces of those around him that they were tired and ready to end their journey. As two soldiers approached, he shifted into his human form. He curiously looked at them, specifically the one with a falcon resting on his arm.

"Alpha Konrad?" One questioned

"That is I," Konrad replied as he smoothed out his hair.

"We are guards from Sella Castle," one man stated. "Her Highness, Princess Prew, has set up an area for your pack. If you would follow us, we can lead the way."

Konrad nodded his head as he glanced over his shoulder. He mind linked to his pack, explaining that they would follow the humans.

"Werelia Inttum," he whispered before shifting back.

The man that had the falcon removed the bird's face covering. He lifted his arms, allowing for the falcon to take flight. The bird flew north, quickly disappearing from sight. The soldiers led the pack around the lake, leading them toward a forest with abnormally large trees. The wolves looked around, amazed by the size of the sequoias. These trees were not found anywhere else, and most people did not even know of their existence. But while some admired the large beauties, some were scared, fearing that the trees could only reach these heights with magic.

After some time, they entered a clearing that sat near the middle of the extensive woods. Three small cabins were in a line on one side, with a fourth being constructed. In the center was a large campfire surrounded by a few tables and benches. Off to the far side were several downed trees that were being prepped to become planks.

As the rest of the pack entered the clearing, Porter and Prew approached them. Konrad was the first to shift.

"How were your travels?" Porter questioned with a smile as he held his hand out. "I hope they were uneventful?"

"Had a wagon wheel broke when crossing Plachester River. But thankfully, it didn't delay us too long," Konrad answered as he shook Porter's hand.

"We did have some heavy rainstorms this past week, so I'm sure the rivers south of the Gantawa Range were full," Porter commented as he looked around at the people who were shifting. Most were eyeing them curiously, or more specifically, his daughter.

Prew stood there, wearing her usual men's shirt and trousers. Her hair was braided, and hanging over her left shoulder was a rope with several dead ducks tied to it. Porter glanced from his daughter to Konrad. Neither seemed to pay the other any attention.

"Alpha Konrad, you remember my daughter, Prew?" He questioned as he motioned to her.

"I do," Konrad nodded his head as he finally looked at her. She was looking back at him, but her eyes were emotionless as she stared.

"I've brought you ducks," she stated as she waved her hand over her kills.

"That is very kind of you!" An older woman exclaimed as she stepped up beside the Alpha.

"Oh, this is my maternal grandmother, Ava," Konrad said as he looked down at the woman beside him. "Ava, this is Prew, the princess of Guilford."

"Such a tall girl," Ava remarked as she took another step to Prew. "Not only that, but you seem rather resourceful and beautiful, too."

"Thank you," Prew murmured as a blush washed across her cheeks. Konrad bit back a smile as he watched her.

"This is a beautiful plot of land," Ava continued as she looked around.

"I'm glad you like it," Prew smiled. "I picked it out and have been helping make it a home for your pack."

"Why don't you show Ava around while Konrad and I discuss a few things?" Porter suggested.

"Yes, please show me around, Luna," Ava said as she wrapped a hand around Prew's right arm.

"But I'm not a Luna yet," Prew argued as Ava led her away. Konrad frowned as he listened to his Grandmother's words. He would not be marking Prew; she would not be a Luna to his pack. She would only be a human queen, his human wife, nothing more.

"So, no one else resides within these woods," Porter explained, pulling Konrad from his thoughts. "Your people may freely hunt, shift, whatever it is that you'd like to do. The nearest human city, Sella, is about ten miles away to the east. Feel free to visit it, shop, trade. Your people are just as welcome as any other."

"Thank you," Konrad replied as he kept an eye on Prew and his Gran.

"We have set you up a room at the castle," Porter added.

"I'll stay with the pack, at least until the princess and I marry."

"Of course." Porter nodded as he turned his head to where Konrad looked.

Prew had sat down by the fire pit. Several women and children were standing around her, speaking with her. She plucked a few of the bigger feathers off the ducks and handed them out to the children. But what impressed Porter the most was how much his daughter was smiling. She seemed happy and at ease with these people that she did not know.

These wolves didn't have the same expectations of the princess as the humans. Humans expected Prew to be in a dress, to be dainty and fragile. But that wasn't Prew. It wasn't in her nature to be any of those things. For once, she was surrounded by people who were not disgusted by the fact that she hunted or that she wore clothing not meant for her gender. For once, Prew looked comfortable. He looked back at Konrad, who showed no emotion on his face.

"She will come around to you," he whispered. Konrad turned his head to face Porter with a confused look. "But it'll take time. She keeps herself guarded, even when around me. You never know what she is truly thinking or feeling. I know it is partially my fault for how she acts. I raised her as if she were a boy. But I can tell you now, I don't regret it. I don't ever have to worry about her being hurt, kidnapped, or worse."

"Do you not worry about her fighting in skirmishes or battles?" Konrad inquired curiously.

"No more than I do the other soldiers," Porter shrugged. "Plus, I am sure she would prefer a warrior's death than dying of an illness or during childbirth."

"Dying on the battlefield would be an honorable death," Konrad agreed. "Well, I thank you for greeting us personally, but I should help set up tents."

"Come by the castle in the morning; I'd like to go over some things with you if you have the time, of course."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Sure," Porter nodded as he placed a hand on Konrad's shoulder. He gave it a tight squeeze. Konrad winced as he attempted to pull away, but Porter's grip was tight.

"Like father like daughter," he mumbled.

Porter chuckled lightly as he finally released Konrad. It was a warning to the Alpha, one that needed no words. Though he knew that Prew could handle herself, he still worried for her. Konrad and her were strangers to one another. He worried that his daughter would provoke the wolf's anger.

"Are you ready to go?" Prew questioned as she walked over to the men.

"Yes, we should leave them to unpack in peace."

"I could help if you think you need the extra hands?" Prew offered as she looked at Konrad.

He looked at her, noticing that her eyes were beaming up at him. There was even a hint of a smile on her face. He looked around at those who were unloading the wagons. His people were tired from traveling; there was no doubting that. And then there was Porter, whose eyes bore a hole through Konrad as they waited for him to answer. They could use the help, and he knew that she would make herself useful. But, there was something that lingered within his mind. Seeing her happy, seeing her bright smile and the sparkle in her copper eyes made his heart twinge. And he didn't want that. He needed to keep a distance from her, to keep from catching feelings for her.

"I appreciate the offer, but we can handle it," Konrad finally answered.

"Oh," she replied as she nodded her head solemnly. "Suit yourself."

Konrad watched as she walked away. Though she seemed disappointed, she did not voice it. Her face suddenly went from being bright to a blank stare. Seconds ago, she let herself be vulnerable in front of him, but now her wall was back up. And it hurt Konrad to see it. Something hurt to watch her walk away.

"You're weak," Nero growled from within his soul. "You cannot let yourself fall for this woman."

"I'm not going to fall in love with her. We love Lorelei, remember?"

"You forget that I feel what you feel; that I can hear your thoughts," Nero argued as a rumble went through Konrad's chest.

Konrad scowled as he turned away, averting his gaze from Prew. For the next few hours, he was furious. He spoke to no one, choosing instead to work in silence. But he had no one to blame but himself; he was the reason he was in this situation.

Konrad stood between fate and desire, and both felt like they were crushing him. On the one side, he had an urge, a primal pull to Lorelei. She was his... But she was not without imperfections. She was weak; he saw it while they traveled. Though she was made for him, she was not a perfect match. Yet, he could not help but love her unconditionally. Then, there was Prew. She was strong, and though he had not seen everything that she could do, he knew that she was his equal. They were a perfect fit. But, he was merely using her to fulfill his greatest desire: to get blood and vengeance. After a moment, a question crossed his mind: would he have loved Prew had he not found Lorelei?

After night fell, Lorelei went to Konrad's tent. He had been distant all afternoon ever since the human princess left. No one was able to talk to him, not even Ava. She saw him lying on his bed as she entered the dark, canvased room. He did not move when she approached him, nor did he even acknowledge her.

"My Alpha?" She questioned softly.

His eyes glanced at her before looking back at the roof. She sat down on the edge of the bed and took his left hand in hers. She rubbed the joints of his fingers and massaged the fleshy part of his palm. She continued to his wrist and up his arm until she was leaned over, nearly face to face with him.

"Would you like for me to relieve you, my Alpha?" She inquired with a seductive expression.

"No," he answered as he gripped her arm. When she whimpered, he released her. "Just lie down with me. Please."

Lorelei nodded her head as she crawled to the other side of Konrad. She laid beside him, pressing her body against his. He sighed as he wrapped an arm around her.

"I've had a lot on my mind today," he admitted gently.

"Was it the princess?" She questioned. It was not something that she needed to ask. She knew the answer. But she wanted to hear it from him. To have him reassure her that the human meant nothing.

"It's just the stress of all of this," he replied. "The move, having to marry the girl, the witches..."

"I wish I could take some of those worries off of you," she whispered. "The fate of the world rests upon your shoulders. I am lucky to be able to call you mine."

"I hope one day we can make it official," he sighed as he closed his eyes. "But first, we have to bear a bit of pain and discomfort. We have to make sacrifices to achieve our goals. And only then, after all of this is over, I can make you my mate, my Luna, my queen."