Luna Of The North

Chapter 8: The Northern Castle

Maybelle felt exhausted. As soon as she arrived in the northern castle this morning, she came to know about a welcoming ball that Lord Adalwolf had organized, inviting all the nobles around the castle territory. Maybelle did not want all these. Greeting the nobles with a fake smile was not her. A deep sigh left her mouth as she entered the hall. It was decorated with fresh flowers. The northern castle had its own aura, and those flowers were increasing its glory, Maybelle thought. She had come here before but as a little girl and she could hardly remember anything. But the castle seemed to be alive to her, such that it had its own stories to tell. 

Lord Adalwolf introduced her to the nobles who had summoned tonight for her honour. They welcomed the werewolf princess wholeheartedly. After the greetings were over, Maybelle excused herself from the crowd and stood at one corner of the ball. She was watching all those noble she-wolves who were dressed magnificently. Many young ladies were drooling around Lord Duncan, soon to be duke of Tibald lands. His light brown hair was combed perfectly. His royal blue coat and trousers were matching his pale skin perfectly. His dark blue eyes were giving mischievous looks to others.

‘So, he was Dimitry’s brother. He looks much like his father, the Duke. But there is no similarity between Dimitry and them.’ Maybelle thought to herself.

Maybelle closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was standing near the huge windows. A chilly breeze was touching her face gently.

‘You said I will see you if I close my eyes and call your name. You said you will be in front of me,’ she said to herself.

‘Dimitry!’, she whispered again. That name always brought a unique sensation to her spine. Her eyes were still closed. Suddenly she felt murmurs filled the room. And then she sensed it. Pinewoods! Was he really here? A beautiful smile formed on her lips. She opened her eyes slowly and turned towards the noise.

Her smile became wider. She saw an extremely handsome man was walking towards her. His silver hair was combed properly. His dark blue-green attire was complimenting his hair and tanned skin, hugging his muscular torso perfectly. His eyes were fixed on hers. She could sense his powerful aura. He was walking towards her just like a king, just like she saw in her visions. Were those visions about her future? She could not help but wonder.

Dimitry walked near her and stood by her side. His eyes were measuring every inch of Maybelle.

“You came!”, Maybelle whispered in joy.

“How couldn’t I? you called for my name”, Dimitry said warmly, looking deep into her eyes. Did he really come because she called him? Maybelle was puzzled for a moment. Her gaze was fixed on his like she was searching for some answers.

“You are lying”, Maybelle accused him, breaking the silence.

“Adalwolf invited me. I rarely like these kinds of gatherings, but it is different this time. I wanted to be here when you would look for me,” Dimitry said with a chuckle.

“How could you say so?”, Maybelle was astonished by his thoughts. He wanted to be there when she would be looking for him. Could it be possible that he felt that mate bond, too? Dimitry took another step towards her, closing the distance between them. Her heart was racing. His scent was intoxicating for her.

“I know so, princess”, he whispered in her ears in a husky voice, bringing a shiver down her spine. Maybelle moved her head a little. Her eyes met his again. Their faces were inches apart. She could feel his hot breath brushing her face softly. Dimitry caressed her cheek softly, leaving sparks on her skin.

“How dare you to touch the werewolf princess, you filthy bastard?”, suddenly Maybelle heard a fuming voice. Dimitry pulled away from her. But his eyes were saying he knew who he was.

Maybelle saw Duke William as the one speaking. Whispers filled the hall once again. Everyone was eyeing Dimitry with disgust and hatred. Maybelle thought Northern lands were the territory of sacred lands. She could never imagine this much hatred inside the werewolves who were living in these lands.

“Why is he even here?”, another voice she heard.

“It is a gathering for nobles”

“Doesn’t he know his place yet?”

“The wolf less bastard”

Maybelle could hardly believe how much these nobles hated Dimitry. They were throwing questions after questions towards him just like silver daggers. But Dimitry kept silent. His eyes were telling that it was not the first time.

“You better leave. You are unwanted in our society”, Duke William said again. Maybelle could not keep quiet anymore.

“Pardon me, duke William, but I do not understand what you are saying.”, she asked while throwing a piercing gaze at the duke.

“You are new here, princess. That is the reason you probably do not know all these. But he is toxic in our society,” Duke William replied. Maybelle kept looking at the Duke with questions in her eyes.

“Toxic in your society?” She repeated.

“Yes, princess. A human never born in a noble werewolf family, my lady.”, the duke explained.

“Is that the reason you disowned him, Duke William?”, the werewolf princess asked again.

“You knew!”, Dimitry murmured in surprise. Maybelle looked at him once. Duke William was also surprised.

“He was never my son. And he is never welcomed in the noble society.”, duke William replied.

Dimitry sighed. He knew it would happen. He knew she would know someday. What was he thinking? She would never accept him. But this irresistible pull towards her was driving him insane. He pecked another glance of the werewolf princess. She was so delicate and breathtaking. But her eyes were showing no emotions. He could sense that she became stronger somehow. He had always been humiliated, and that was the reason he always avoided these gatherings. But when he heard Maybelle would be here, he felt he needed to be here, by her side. How foolish he was to think like that! After all, she was a princess, and he was no one. He prepared himself to leave the hall.

“He is a royal guest here, duke William. You cannot offend him standing in the royal territory”

Dimitry became shocked at hearing Maybelle. Did she defend him? He kept looking at the werewolf princess cluelessly.

“Pardon me, my lady…”

Maybelle cut William in middle. Somehow, she felt stronger and more confident.

“I was the one who invited my mate personally”, she said again. The hall filled with gasps. The werewolf princess had a human mate! That was not all. That human was claimed to be a bastard of some witch. His birth was a mystery. 

“He is your mate!”, Maybelle saw a nobleman saying.

“Can he even feel the bond?”, another voice.

“How could a werewolf princess have a human mate?”

So many questions filled the hall. Dimitry also could not believe what he heard. He always knew she was special. Was that the reason? He knew about mates, but he never thought he could find one. She was his mate and to be truthful; he had no idea about that fact. They were right! He could hardly feel the mate bond! He was not a good fit for the werewolf princess.

“Pardon me, my lady, but it is better to reject him. He cannot even feel the bond and it will only hurt you in the end.” Duke William proposed suddenly.

“Yes, my lady. You should look for someone who is more suitable”, Maybelle heard another man spoke, indicating towards Lord Duncan. Maybelle looked towards Dimitry once. His eyes were hurting. Was it all true? Could not you feel it? Maybelle asks in her head. Then she looked around. Everyone was waiting for the end. Everyone wanted to see Dimitry being humiliated. Then her eyes fell on Adalwolf. She remembered what he said to her earlier. She made her mind. She looked towards Duke William again.

“Duke William, I am lucky that I have so many blessings in my life. My parents brought me into this world and raised me. They always loved me and stood by my side, no matter what. And then comes my younger brother. He is a hundred times stronger than me, and he is the crowned prince of the werewolf empire. Even so, he bows his head in front of me out of respect." Maybelle paused a bit. A pure smile formed on her lips as she spoke.

"But the most precious blessing I have is my mate, the other half of my soul. Moon goodness has bestowed upon me with him, and I will abandon none of these blessings. I will choose death over abandoning them," she said again in a firm voice. Her aura was increasing, showing her authority.

Then Maybelle looked towards the nobles. They all looked surprised and afraid at the same time.

“A true king does not need a marked territory or a royal army to rule, neither he needs a title. They rule over the people's hearts. They do not need to follow the path they had by birthright, rather they are the chosen ones by destiny, and you will be a fool not to see that.” Maybelle completed.

“Now if you could excuse me”, she said again. She was on her verge of breaking down, and she did not want others to see how weak she was. She walked towards the door. Suddenly she paused. Then Maybelle turned towards Dimitry again.

“Would you please show me around?” she asked. Dimitry took big steps to close the distance between them. His eyes were looking into hers. Maybelle felt he could read everything. His eyes were sad.

“Would you honour me a dance, princess?” suddenly Dimitry said, extending his hand towards her, bowing his head. Maybelle was surprised by his proposal. Her lips gradually gained back the smile while she held his hand.

“Of course,” she whispered.

Dimitry took her to the middle of the dance floor. He did not know why he was doing so, but he wanted that badly. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted to protect her, cherish her, forever. Was it because of the mate bond? He felt he knew her for years. The music started. Dimitry held her waist by one hand and his other hand was entangled with hers.

Dimitry felt it was not the first time. He did it before. All these happened before. The werewolf princess looked so familiar! He felt he knew her for years. But something was missing. Something was different. Dimitry could not figure out what it was.

Maybelle was also looking at him with adore. She could feel the same. It was not the first time, and she knew it deep down. All those visions she had. They were similar to what was happening now. She felt free, safe, and happy. She never felt like this before. She was lost in his light brown eyes. They were deep and mysterious.

Suddenly she saw his eyes were glowing a golden red. He was looking at her intensely. She was caged in between his muscular arms. There were so many emotions, and especially anger. Was he angry? But why? What did she do?

“You are mine, princess, for this life and for all lives. I will never accept your rejection,” he said to her.

Maybelle shivered with his voice. His grip was tightening with every passing moment. His aura was increasing. She was scared this time. Scared of him. He bent his head a bit and rubbed his nose on her neck.

“Dimitry!” Maybelle whispered.

“Are you alright, princess,” she heard his deep voice.

Another vision! But he was terrifying. It seemed like his wolf was in control. How could it be possible? He did not have any wolf! She felt like she had rejected him. But why? She looked up at his face. He looked worried. Then she looked around once. They were still dancing.

“I am fine,” she whispered with a smile. Her eyes were still sticking to his face. They were searching for answers. Who was he? 

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