The Lost Werewolf King's Mate

Chapter 39: Elizabeth's POV

Realising she was trapped in the fire, she shifted into her beast. The hall was big enough for the creature to stand in, but it wouldn't have much space to move.

Before her beast could attack, I held out both hands and engulfed it in flames. This time I wasn't holding back. I remembered how easy it was for Taranis to break my shoulders. I may have wanted to spare this woman from injury, but it wouldn't be at the cost of my own life.

The beast was screaming and roaring while running around the ball room trying to either attack me or escape the flames. My hands followed it everywhere and I didn't stop burning it, not for a second. Had she agreed to go outside, like Taranis, she would have been able escape into the air and attack me while I was on the ground. However, choosing an enclosed space where she couldn't fly and where her movements were limited was playing to my advantage.

The scene was horrific and had I not been able to control every flame that left my body, the entire room would have been burning down.

"Stop!", I heard a voice that sounded like thunder shouting.

I stopped and Killian's dad was walking to me. He looked mortified.

The beast which was previously covered in silver and grey feathers and fur, was now burnt to a crisp. It was lying on the floor, barely able to move or make a sound or move.

They were all looking at me. They looked scared. The mighty gryphons were scared.

"You killed her beast", Killian's father said. He was standing next to the dead beast. He put his hand on it and it transformed back into the girl who challenged me.

She was crying and sobbing naked on the floor. "Venus, you killed Venus."

The room was quiet. Did I go too far? Should I have found another way even if the fight would have been drawn out and I got hurt? My mind was swirling with uncertainty until I decided I did what I had to do. It was either me or her.

"I did not mean to kill your beast." My breathing was calm. I had just taken down a gryphon and honestly I wasn't even out of breath.

"Killian allowed me to ride Taranis today and I fell inlove with the beast and with this place and Maru's mountains the moment he lifted us up into the air. I think gryphons are majestic and powerful and they don't deserve to die like that. I'm really sorry that I killed Venus."

I took a deep breath and continued.

"I am sorry for what I did, but I would do it again." The crowd erupted into loud and angry murmurs, but I still continued and spoke over the murmurs. "And others who are even stronger than me have the ability to do so much more than what I just did. But the gryphons will only find out when it's too late because you've locked yourselves up in your kingdom and refuse to even get to know other creatures. One day very soon all the creatures all of you look down on will be strong enough to defeat you and when you call upon their help when Raphael comes for you, they will also turn their backs on you."

I looked at the people around me. They still looked terrified. My message seems to have gotten lost in the horrific act I committed.

"She's right!" I looked into the crowd and saw Anha walking to the front.

"My own mother wasn't allowed to raise me because she just so happened to be a witch whose fated mate was a gryphon. For the two of them to have even found each other was a miracle. I was shunned by my own people the whole time while I was here, and..." she hesitated. "even when I was your Queen, chosen by Maru himself to be fated to Maxwell, you all looked down on me until I even decided to flee from my own home. And I couldn't even take my son with me." She was looking at Killian and had tears in her eyes.

"Rene", Killian came to stand next to me, "you know our traditions. Even though your beast has died, you must still go to Mount Moria. Under the circumstances, I will reduce your sentence to only two months on the mountain."

"How.." the girl's voice was trembling. "how will I get there?"

Killian took a deep breath. "You will have to climb the mountain until you get to the peak. It is only once you get there that your sentence will commence."

Everyone was gasping.

I had seen how big Mount Moria is and don't even think it's actually possible to climb up that mountain. Even if she made it to the top, without her beast to help her she would be defenseless against the extremities.

"My King, without her beast she is going to die in any case. She has a month left at best before she whithers away. Perhaps, she could be pardoned and live her remaining days with her loved ones." A man had knelt down to look at the woman. The way he was looking at her made me think he was her mate.

"No", Killian said without hesitation. "She knew the consequences when she issued an official challenge. Take her."

Two men came to take the woman, but she stood up before they could even touch her. She had to get some support to steady herself and she really did look like a part of her had just died. She was so pale, and her eyes looked sunken.

"You don't have to help me up. I am a gryphon, after all. I know where Mount Moria is." She glared at me as she left the ballroom.

She clearly still had that gryphon pride in her.

As soon as the woman left, the music started playing again like nothing had just happened. People were dancing and avoiding the large burnt spots in the ballroom.

A few people came rushing to me and started investigating my hands and eyes.

"Anyone strong enough to take down a gryphon and still look good while doing it deserves my respect." A tall woman with blonde hair suddenly said.

"We will consider what you said 'Star fire'", another woman said jokingly. "Perhaps it really is time to face the rest of the magic world."

"It is", I confirmed. "That's the only way to evolve."

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll excuse us", Killian gently took my hand and whisked me away.

He went around introducing me to everyone and telling almost every single person about our battle on Mount Moria and how I almost killed Taranis.

"The flames felt like I was drowning in the sun. Had I not been in the ice and cold of Mount Moria, then I most certainly would have died!" He was telling the story like he was telling the story of legends.

Everyone was standing around him, enthralled by the whole thing.

"So what precisely are you?", Killian's dad had narrowed his eyes at me and unlike the others who now seemed fascinated, he still looked terrified.

"She's the girl who walks with flames" Anha's eyes looked softer than the stern eyes I saw when I met her.

What she said sounded cool, but unfortunately it did not answer the question. Luckily, Killian came to the rescue.

"Father, she is our guest and this is a ball. Our people have put her through enough tonight. I want her to enjoy herself right now. This is not the time questions." Killian grabbed my hand and took me to the dance floor once more.

I learned traditional dances, talked to a lot of the gryphons about their lives and their traditions and even convinced a few people to visit the werewolf kingdom without getting a look of disdain.

By the end of the night, I was exhausted and couldn't wait to go to bed, but not until I spoke to Mike.

I went to where he was sitting and sat next to him."They seem to be warming up to us don't you think?"

He gave me one of his reassuring smiles. "People always warm up to you, Liz. It's impossible not to."

"About what I did Liz, I wanted to protect...

"I know Mike. That's what you always do; you protect me. And you're right. I tend to charge head first into danger. I need to stop doing that and take a moment to think of a solution that doesn't end in me potentially dying."

We both chuckled.

"That's all I ask for."

Mike has been with me every step of the way for the past three years. In the beginning, I used to beg him to go back to his pack but he refused. I'm glad he did because I don't know where I would be without him. Initially I thought we shared a romantic attraction, but that's not it at all.

Mike is like a brother to me and no matter what happens, I trust him with my life. He has saved my butt more times than I can count and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him.

When I got back to my room, I was met with the biggest shock when I opened my bedroom door. There he was - Killian, completely naked on my bed. He left the ball a bit earlier, but I thought the man was dealing with royal duties. It turns out he was doing whatever this is.

He removed the rose he was holding in his mouth and beckoned for me to join him on the bed.

"Killian", I groaned.

He laughed. "Oh come on, little Star fire. After the show you put on tonight, surely you didn't think I wouldn't try to mate you? You're strong, little Star fire; maybe even stronger than me. Let me fill you with my seed. You and will create such strong offspring!"

I turned to leave the room, deciding I was done having the same conversation over and over again.

"Wait, wait, wait!" I heard him yell behind me.

I turned to face him and just glared at him.

"My servants know I am in this room. If they see you leave, rumours will spread around the kingdom that I was not even able to keep a lady warm at night. Please don't go, little Star fire. Please, I'll do anything you want."

This seemed like a great opportunity to get something I desperately needed from this kingdom.

"If I stay, you can't sleep in the bed with me and you have to be dressed the ENTIRE time you're in this room."

He nodded his head excitedly.

"If you agree to those terms, I will stay in the room IF...

His face was filled with anticipation. "If what, little Star fire? I will give you anything you want!"

"If you send help to the Northern Inkling kingdom."

"Done!" He didn't even stop to think about it or hesitate.

I was stunned. "I mean proper assistance, Killian. They'll need warriors to keep the centaurs from invading the rest of their territory, they'll need a bunch of medical supplies because their hospitals are down and their healers are either dead or injured and they'll need lots and lots of food."

He looked at me amused. "My Star fire, you just burned someone's beast to death, if you asked me to get you the moon and stars, I would gladly do it. I will send healers, food and supplies and even warriors to the Silver kingdom. They will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

This was working out way too well. I was beaming with joy. I had managed to help the Silver kingdom somehow. Help was on the way.

"Now get in bed" He patted his hands on the bed and winked at me seductively.

I threw a pillow at him. "Not until you get out, Killian."

He chuckled and walked to one of the drawers. He pulled pants out of there and put them on and then he made himself comfortable on the couch.

***

I almost didn't want to wake up in the morning. The bed was so big and fluffy that I just wanted to get lost in it. I rolled around in the bed before deciding to open my eyes and face the day.

I found Killian looking out of the window. As soon as he noticed I was awake, he gestured for me to come join him and look out the window as well.

The scene unfolding before me warmed my heart. Gryphons were loading trucks with food, medical supplies and all kinds of things. There was also a black bus being filled with warriors. They were all going to the Northern Inkling Kingdom.

"As promised, little Star fire, I am sending aid to the inklings." He laced his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

My heart was bursting with so much joy in that moment that I decided not to push the red giant away. Instead, I leaned my head against his shoulder and heard him gasp at the gesture.

"I see what I must do to court you, little Star fire" His voice was deep and serious. "You will only let a man who helps others get close to you, won't you?"

I chuckled. "Killian, don't ruin this moment."

We stood there for a few minutes until the cars, trucks and the buses drove away. When I saw that I felt as if my purpose had been served here.

Killian picked me up in one swift move and carried me bridal style to the bed. He lay me down gently on the bed with his large body hovering above me. He held his body up with his elbows, but his stomach and the rest of his lower body were lying against mine.

"If you won't let me give you my seed, then at least let me taste you, my little Star fire." I could feel his hot breath against my neck. With every movement he was inching closer and closer to my mark spot. The man was going to mark me.