ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)

One thing Alpha Darren loved about the manor was the sparkling river behind the huge building.

Before the moon goddess selected him to be the next Alpha King after his father, The Mighty Wolf, died, Darren grew up in the manor.

And, that river was a place he went to whenever he was bothered.

Just as it was in the past, the Alpha wished to go to the riverside because he was greatly troubled.

His shoes made clicking noises that filled the empty corridors.

With his hands folded behind him, while his boots filled the corridors with noise, King Darren wondered if he should visit the half-fairy girl.

It had been a while since he saw her. And, he had an important question to ask her.

But, while the question was important, the peace he was feeling at that point pleasured him greatly.

He loved that he wasn’t feeling the hard pull of his wolf. King Darren didn’t know how long his wolf would stay quiet, so he wished to enjoy that moment to the fullest.

Soon, he was pushing the door that led to the wonderful scenery and a lovely breeze embraced him.

That mass of air made him feel good because it kept playing with his shirt, causing it to bloat and deflate playfully.

When he took more steps, a faint moan reached his ears. That moan was accompanied by a low, gruff-like masculine voice that whispered words inaudible to the Alpha.

King Darren killed his curiosity while he asked himself if he would be able to see the river since it seemed a couple was having a good time.

He decided to continue approaching the water body. He wanted to at least catch a glimpse.

He was about to narrow his eyes and watch from a distance when his eyes caught a glimpse of the unique hair that looked familiar.

A little frown on his face, his feet now walking a bit too rapidly, Darren became more certain that it was indeed the person he was thinking it was.

He had no idea why he was rushing toward them, but he couldn’t stop himself.

But, when a sharp pain pierced his chest and halted his step, Alpha Darren realized why his feet were so rapid. The pain in his chest was the very one that greeted him each time his wolf decided to show up.

’You are back,′ Darren thought.

And the wolf replied by flaunting its overpowering strength.

The sides of his eyes wrinkled in pain, King Darren looked ahead at the duo who were now moving sensually and rhythmically and a thought came to his head.

It was a thought that suggested that his wolf came out at that moment because of Zaramanni.

The other night, it had the urge to claim Zaramanni as theirs.

Of course...

The King stood straight while he tried to keep his breathing regulated.

... it made sense that his murderous wolf came out because Zaramanni was with another man-wolf.

His wolf was a jealous bastard.

Darren was still watching Zaramanni and Zoey when he got an idea.

If his wolf really desired Zaramanni despite the hatred it displayed in the past…

Fine.

He, Alpha King Darren had a plan.

He would give the wolf what it wanted. He will make Zaramanni theirs.

As long as it will shut his wolf up, Alpha Darren was going to do it.

Satisfied with his plan, Alpha Darren smirked despite his pain and directed a few words at the duo, saying, “What a sight. What an unexpected sight.”

Arms folded across his broad chest, Darren began to approach them and he noticed a look of displeasure befall Beta Zoey’s face.

The present owner of the manor soon wore his signature emotionless look as he helped Zaramanni cover her exposed body which was shivering with desire before the Alpha interrupted them.

“Alpha Darren...” There was anger evident in Zoey’s voice. “Is it just me or do you have a problem with me being with Zaramanni?”

King Darren noticed how the Beta pulled Zaramanni closer as a protector would.

Before he gave the Beta of Crown-Blood Pack a response, Alpha Darren locked eyes with the half-fairy whose hair roots were slowly turning into a shade of light blue.

On her face was the same look of displeasure Zoey’s face had.

Darren briefly wondered if she recalled barging into his room and squeezing his buttocks in the dead of night.

Then, he said, “Zaramanni is my guest in case you have forgotten.” His cold gaze traveled back to Zoey. “I have to be concerned if she’s getting something from a person she barely knows.”

“This is the first time you will be seeing her after the vampire incident, shouldn’t you be glad she is doing well? Why are you criticizing her decision to be with the person her heart beats for?”

“What are you talking about?” King Darren asked, the last part of that statement surprised him.

“Zoey and I might be mates.” It was Zaramanni who replied. The confidence in her voice surprised the King who was about to call bullshit on that statement.

“And, what makes you two think so?”

After he asked that question, King Darren wondered if it was possible for Zara to be with someone else.

After all, because of the ritual, her soul was already linked to his in an unbreakable way.

“The way we feel about each other is enough evidence. But, when the full moon comes back, we will know for sure. But, right now, I can feel it.” Zoey’s eyes shifted to Zara and the King didn’t miss the soft look in his eyes. “Holding her seems right. I can’t stop thinking about her whenever I’m away from her and my wolf likes her too.”

“Don’t you think you are being hasty, Beta Zoey?” King Darren could see his plan crumbling.

Beta Zoey was a man that gets possessive about things he cared about.

Things could get ugly if anyone makes a wrong move beside someone or something he likes.

He could never forget the intense beating Beta Zoey gave a boy for killing his rare pet plant. They were pups at that time.

Definitely, should the Alpha make a wrong move while executing his plan, Beta Zoey will not spare him.

“Hasty?” One of Zoey’s arms wrapped around the girl’s shoulders. As Zaramanni continued to watch the King with an angry look in her eyes, Zoey continued, “Alpha Darren, you and I know that I am never hasty. I did not decide to be with Zaramanni because of a fleeting emotion nor was it because of a momentary yearning of the flesh

I am certain about how I feel about her. And, I am going to show her how much I care about her. All I need is enough time.”

“I still think-”

“You should understand me, Your Majesty,” Zoey sharply interrupted his statement. “You of all people should understand how I feel. You should understand that even if I am wrong and Zara and I aren’t mates, I won’t give up.

You didn’t give up and eventually married Luna Laura even when it was clear that you two weren’t mates. You defied the laws of the land and went with your heart. I intend to do the same.”

King Darren was defeated. That was a good point.

But, he still needed his plan to work.

He needed to offer his wolf what it wanted. He needed to have Zaramanni in his arms instead.

“You don’t even know who she is,” King Darren uttered without thinking much. “You don’t know her real identity.”

“She is human. You know this. And, so do I, Your Majesty. So why are you trying so hard to ruin what we have?” At this point, Zoey looked fed up and highly pissed.

“I guess she hasn’t told you the truth.”

“What are you doing, Darren?” Zaramanni blurted viciously. “Are you okay? Are you out of your mind?”

“How dare you speak to me that way?” King Darren, who had been keeping calm and ignoring the incessant clawing of his wolf, lost it.

Zara’s angry voice, Zoey’s hateful gaze, his wolf’s annoying power... Those things irritated him greatly that he lost his calm.

“Zaramanni, that was rude,” Zoey reprimanded. The Beta wore a look of surprise at Zaramanni’s unruly utterance of the King’s name and her insolent questions. “You should apologize.”

“No. He should apologize for acting like he can control me,” the girl said.

She had been quiet earlier but it seemed she had no intention to stay that way. “This is not the first time he is doing such a thing. You lured me to stay in Zenrada, you refused to accept my request to leave for Mount Hermos, you lied to my face and now that I am experiencing something wonderful, you want to ruin it? No.”

She shook her head.

“I won’t allow it. I won’t allow you to take this one thing that makes me happy. You don’t like that Zoey and I may be mates? Then, go suck your dick and cry about it in your room!” The girl huffed with more anger, her eyes bulging at him. “If you are truly a King, act like it and stop butting into issues that do not have any to do with you. Okay?”

While King Darren stood speechless, he heard a little whimpering sound within him. He realized the sharp pain in his chest had reduced.

It seemed his wolf had been kicked to a corner.

While Zaramanni’s words stung him, King Darren found himself almost smiling.

He didn’t need an elaborate plan to tame his wolf. He didn’t have to pull Zaramanni closer.

No, all he needed to do was make sure that Zaramanni hated him and continued to do so.

Her hurtful words tamed the wolf.

That was a good thing.

“I guess you are not going to apologize.” Licking her lower lip while she nodded her head with an understanding, Zara said, “Stay out of my sight then. Do me that one favour. And yes, don’t do anything that will ruin my life.”

Her tone communicated bitterness. “I am sure you understand what I am saying.”

She eyed him strongly before she reached for Zoey’s hand. Zoey was still shocked at the audacious utterances of the girl, so he was yet to say anything.

But, he followed Zara when she tugged at his hand.

Once they were out of sight, King Darren turned to face the sparkling river and his lips broke into a huge smile that wouldn’t stop expanding.

At one point, he chuckled with disbelief.

It was slightly hard to believe that hurtful words from the half-fairy were all it took to make his wolf quiet for a moment.

As he gave another short laugh, Darren nodded and said to himself, “I need to make her hate me more. She already hates me anyway. What is more hatred?” He sounded eager and happy as his voice thickened with heavy breaths. “How terrible can it be? As long as I am free. As I am free from this beast inside me. Yes...”

He nodded again.

“Hate! She just needs to hate me. Oh!” Darren clutched his chest which was feeling light and he laughed again.

Anyone passing at that minute would probably think to his or herself, ‘I think the King has gone mad.’

When Alpha Darren looked up at the sky, he recalled the meeting he was meant to have with the council members and the Vampire Overlord.

Quickly, his heart still feeling light, he rushed towards the manor and made for the meeting room.

~

“Your Majesty, what’s making you smile?” Lord Elias asked after he settled on the seat opposite the King. The table their hands were resting on was a long but slim one. So, the chairs facing each other were closer than usual.

“Lord Elias, I cannot feel it anymore,” the King replied.

“The wolf?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“It is just for a moment, but I am glad I get to feel at peace like this.” A sigh of satisfaction came from the Alpha King who relaxed into his chair some more.

“Hmm. That reminds me,” Lord Elias’s voice perked, “I have a question.”

“Do ask.”

“Do you remember Zaramanni crashing the table during our last meeting at the palace?”

“Yes. How did that happen anyway? Is it because of her powers?”

Lord Elias’s face drew blank for some seconds. Absent-mindedly, he replied, “Yes. I believe so.”

“I think she has to be watched. It could get dangerous for Zenrada if other Kingdoms confirm her existence. It will be drastic if she goes about appearing in places she isn’t familiar with.”

“I’m constantly thinking of ways to train her and keep her powers tamed. If we are not careful, her powers might grow beyond our abilities and we may have to resort to measures that won’t benefit anyone.” As Lord Elias spoke, King Darren noticed the lines of worry on his forehead.

Lord Elias was not a person who was easily fazed. His wolf was the same. They both had the ability to be strongly unbothered by issues that would cause other wolves to fall into a state of jeopardy.

But watching the man-wolf’s face wear meaningful wrinkles said a lot to King Darren.

He was about to talk when the door swung open.

It was Beta Zoey that filled the air with his loud footsteps.

With certain fury, the Beta locked eyes with the Alpha and he didn’t break the contact when he settled two seats away from Lord Elias.

King Darren could tell the man had questions.

After what happened in the garden, it would be surprising if Beta Zoey didn’t have the desire to comprehend how the girl he called his mate acted.

“The Overlord is almost here,” Zoey announced, his voice sounding raspy.

“And, the other Betas?” King Dareen asked.

“On their way as well.”

King Darren made sure to empty his mind of thoughts related to Zaramanni, Amarxona, and his wolf. He didn’t want to give Beta Zoey a chance to raid his mind.

“Good,” the Alpha replied. “Let’s get this over with, I have a kingdom to run.”

Soon, the doors opened again and a deadly feel hit the atmosphere.

Flapping noises reached the ears of the men that were seated and they all turned their heads toward the entrance.

With discomfort etched in their soul, they watched a tall figure walk past the door. His cloak was deep red and it was decorated with the repetitive pattern of blood droplets. And in his hold was a hand fan that had a skull tip.

The Overlord walked in with pride in his steps and nothingness in his pure white eyes. As his graceful steps ended at the head of the table which was purposefully missing a chair, the vampire announced his presence.

Deep, resounding yet hardly melodious, his voice uttered calmly, “It is a pleasure, Alpha King Darren of Zenrada.”

After glancing at his people, King Darren got up, his pride showing in his upright posture.

“I do not think it is a pleasure, Overlord Zamar.” He smirked with intent. “It is never a pleasure.”