Chapter 10

Unable to let what she had seen pass, Ysolde went to confront Rayena about it. The latter was preparing for a bath when she stormed into her room, barely managing to knock and unwilling to wait for a response.

Everyone jumped at the sudden intrusion, and Rayena narrowed her eyes when she saw who it was, clutching her partly undone dress to her body. "Lady Ysolde, what are you doing in my room so early in the morning?" she asked, unable to keep the dissatisfaction from her voice or face.

Ysolde quickly collected her expression, raising her chin high and her shoulders higher. "Oh, nothing really. I just would like to know if you've been seeing the king recently," she muttered primly, trying to keep her voice as casual as possible.

"The king?" Rayena repeated, her face drawn into one of perfect confusion. She instantly shook her head. "No, I haven't seen the king at all. Matter of fact, we haven't even met," she said with conviction.

Ysolde grew shocked, then confused. She had clearly seen Rayena with him while she was returning to the harem—or were her eyes deceiving her!? "Y-you're positive you two haven't met?" she stuttered, trying to make sure.

Rayena shook her head again. "We haven't. Not since I've arrived here."

Ysolde let out a breath, unsure if it was from relief or doubt. "In that case, I'll be taking my leave now. Sorry for barging in the way I did, please forgive me," she muttered, bowing her head slightly. Turning around, she swiftly exited Rayena's room, closing the door behind her.

But as she made her way towards her own room, confusion still lingered. There was no way she was mistaken. That had clearly been the king. Rayena didn’t seem to know that was the king. Why didn’t he tell her who he was?

What’s going on?

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Soraya returned to the harem much later and went to see Rayena first. The latter had settled down for a late breakfast when a gentle knock rapped against her door. Rising to her feet, she walked towards it and pushed the door open. Peeking through and seeing it was Soraya, she opened it wider and gave her a hug.

"Soraya! You've returned!" she cried out excitedly, beaming at her. Soraya giggled, patting her back. They separated from the hug but smiled at each other. "So, how did it go?" she asked, looking all over Soraya's body and spotting a few hickeys on her neck.

"Well, it went the way it's always gone. But I'm back now and need to rest. How was your first night during the full moon?"

"It was splendid," Rayena answered with a smile. "I enjoyed myself, although I have to admit, I'm not really a fan of the howling."

Soraya chuckled, shaking her head. Then she narrowed her eyes at Rayena. "You didn't sneak out this time?"

"No, I didn't!" Rayena lied, faking a gasp. "Why would I do such a thing on a night like this!? Do you think so little of me?"

"No, I don't," Soraya answered with mock sincerity, smirking at Rayena. She felt her cheeks heat up as she tried to meet Soraya's gaze. "I'll be leaving to my room now. Need to recuperate," she said, and Rayena nodded.

"Take care of yourself," she called out as Soraya walked away, going to her room. Rayena gently closed the door and leaned against it, wondering why she couldn't tell Soraya about the fact that she did sneak out to see Lylall. Maybe she didn't want to be scolded.

Well, this is just one of her little secrets, Rayena mused to herself as she went back to her breakfast.

Every girl has one.

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In the palace, King Xenon was in his chambers, still battling the unexpected rut that had slammed into him. The ache was relentless, every muscle strung tight with need and hunger. He'd been so severely aroused that he had to jerk himself off, burying his nose into the handkerchief Rayena had given him, taking huge lungfuls of her scent into his lungs.

Jaw clenched and eyes squeezed shut, he continued to stroke his arousal, his rhythm becoming more frenzied as he approached his climax. Rayena's scent wrapped around him like silk, and he could almost see himself buried inside her, instead of using his hand to find his own relief. A tingle began from the tip of his head, spreading way down to his toes when his climax neared.

Then the horrific memories came crashing down on him, dousing him like ice water. Images of him thrusting into nothing but a pile of mangled flesh. His hands froze and he gasped, eyes snapping open. Gagging once, his knees faltered but he refused to sink to the ground, standing on shaky legs. Revulsion overtook him and his need for climax disappeared instantly.

His wolf banged at the edge of his chest, furious they didn't achieve release. It was even more angry at him that they couldn't get her to lay with Rayena to satisfy their rut. Xenon waited for the shaking in his legs to subside before he moved, hitting his chest to soothe his ache.

"Guards!" he bellowed, and the walls rattled.

A soldier burst through the door almost instantly, bowing. "Your Majesty, you summoned me."

"Tell the maids to draw me a bath," he ordered, hus voice harsh and raw.The soldier nodded and marched out of his chambers, and Xenon started to get rid of his robes.

A moment later, a huge tub of steaming water had been brought to his chambers, with fragrant oils, towels, and a bar of soap situated next to it on a stool. His clothes now in a heap on the ground, he motioned for the maids to carry them.

"Wash them properly and get rid of any scent that might be on it," he ordered, voice gruff.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the male maid responded, carrying the clothes and swiftly exiting the chambers. Stepping into the hot water, he sank down with a low exhale. The steam curled around him, clearing his head a bit. Picking up the bar of soap and brush, Xenon began to wash himself, allowing his thoughts to wander.

As far as he could remember, no female had triggered his rut before. Though they were always erratic, following no true pattern, they came from his own doing. Why did Rayena trigger one, and why did she not smell repulsive to him like the others?

He sighed, scooping a handful of water and splashing it on his face. He would have to meet Ladrian and ask for more information concerning this.

He was soon done with his bath, and he stepped out of the now lukewarm water, wrapping a towel around his midriff and hair. Though his wolf still moved around restlessly within him, his headache had lessened and he felt slightly better. All he needed now was to take his suppressants and he would be as right as rain.

Heading towards his wardrobe to pick up a new set of clothes, he spotted the handkerchief lying on the ground. He paused, staring at it. The maid must have forgotten to pick it up. He should probably call on them and have it washed as well. Walking towards it, he picked it up from the ground and, against his better judgment, brought it to his nose, sniffing it.

The sharp yet sweet floral scent flooded his lungs, and a growl burst from his lips, his wolf finally settling within him. Even the tiger purred lazily, stretching. His headache disappeared too. He pulled the handkerchief away, frowning at it. Just a whiff of her scent was proving to be stronger than any suppressant he’d ever had in over a century of living.

What is it about Rayena?

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It took two days for Soraya to fully recover from the effects of her heat after the full moon. On the third day, she skipped to Rayena's room, proposing that they go shopping since they had already received their monthly allowance from the king.

"He gives us money to spend too?" Rayena asked in surprise as she brought out the pouch that was given to her, heavy with coins. Soraya giggled, seeing Rayena's expression.

"Didn't you hear me say every one of our needs is met in this harem?"

Rayena opened the pouch, picking out a gold coin and assessing it, awed. This looked like more than what she received from her father back home. If it’s like this, no wonder none of the women were willing to leave this place. She was starting to see the appeal.

"So, what do you say? Shopping?"

"Let's go shopping!" Rayena shrieked, jumping around excitedly. They laughed and hurriedly changed their clothes, while Soraya went on to fetch a carriage that they would be using. Stationed with guards that would accompany them, both women stepped out of the harem, boarded the carriage, and it began to ride out of the palace.

Rayena was especially excited for this trip since this would be her first time out of the palace in almost a month since she had arrived here. She stayed glued to the windows, looking at the passing scenery, her heart racing with excitement.

The gates of the palace opened in front of them and they began their journey on well-paved roads into the bustling town before them. Children played around freely, while the adults went about their day, with the rare occasion of some looking at them as they drove past.

The shifter realm town settlement was incredibly beautiful, that much was certain. Though the buildings looked centuries older than the ones she was familiar with back home, they had been well kept and still looked resplendent. Everyone seemed healthy and their clothes clean. If it wasn't for the innate knowledge that these people had animal forms they could shift into, they looked like a more beautiful and wealthy kingdom.

They finally arrived at a marketplace located near the town square. The carriage found a suitable parking space, and they came down from it, immediately sticking close to each other. "Let's go this way..." Soraya suggested, as she pointed right. Rayena obeyed, following after Soraya as she led her through the stalls where traders stood, advertising their wares and calling for prospective customers.

Rayena looked at the bustling market, stunned. Spices and products of many different kinds filled shops, and Rayena was sure she would get lost in the place trying to explore everything. She was so enraptured by her environment, it took a while to notice that people were staring at her. She held on to Soraya, averting her gaze.

"Why are they looking at me like that?" she asked, moving closer so Soraya could hear her amidst the noise. Soraya looked around, spotting the few market people staring at her friend, quizzical looks on their faces.

"Oh, well, humans haven't been allowed in the shifter realm for a very long time. To some of them, you're basically the first human they will be seeing," she explained, approaching the stall of a woman who sold perfumes.

"Really?" Rayena asked, surprised. "I know we're not allowed in, but aren't they allowed outside?"

"Not everyone has the privilege to," Soraya said, before bargaining with the seller about a particular scent she wanted. Turning to Rayena, she added, "Only very wealthy shifter families can afford the pass needed to be eligible to leave the realm. And a huge number of us don’t see the appeal, really. Everything we could possibly need is here."

"That's too expensive, miss, we'll come back for it," Soraya said when she couldn't arrive at a price with the trader. "Come on, let's go," she said to Rayena, and they approached another woman's shop, checking out the things she had available.

Slowly, Rayena began to shop for things while she surveyed her surroundings. She noticed that the market was divided into two sections, and she guessed werewolves were on one end while weretigers stayed on the other side.

Confused, she turned to Soraya again. "Why is it like this? Don’t the weretigers and werewolves coexist?" She asked, puzzled.

Soraya looked at the demarcation between both clans, and a shadow crossed her eyes. "Unfortunately, they don't—not since the Retaliation War. The weretigers were once enslaved by the werewolves and only received their freedom through the king, but their kind still harbors malice for the werewolves due to what they went through. It's only because of the king that they have managed to live amongst them. He’s the one ensuring the peace, however fragile that might be."

"Oh..." Rayena trailed off, saddened by the information. She looked at the clear demarcation once more and immediately averted her gaze, like she couldn’t bear the sight anymore.

They continued their shopping and slowly yet surely the baskets they had with them filled with goods they had purchased. Satisfied, the two decided to return to the palace. As they were walking, someone ran past them and snatched Soraya's basket, taking off. Rayena froze, shocked at the sight.

What the!?

Soraya screamed, raising the alarm. "Help, there's a thief! He's running away!"