The Wolf King's Second Chance Mate

Mother Time

Castle Wolfsblood was the most impressive structure that Lyria had ever seen. The castle had at least three floors, and several beautiful, tall turrets. The grounds were immaculate, with sweeping topiaries and a Hall of the Goddess that sat apart from the rest of the castle. The castle was also surrounded by a stone wall that separated it from the rest of Cyrrillest, which was a bustling city with cobblestone streets and more wolves than Lyria had ever seen in her life.

“Wow,” Aertis said, echoing Lyria’s feeling, as they both stared out the window of the carriage and up at the castle. Lyle, who had visited the castle before with his father, was asleep.

“Wow,” Lyria agreed. “It’s beautiful.”

The gates set into the stone wall they had just passed through clinked as they shut, loudly enough that it was audible from the carriage, which had already moved at a brisk trot from the wall. The winding path up to the castle, which sat on the slightest of hills, was long, but beautiful. It was planted with beautiful aspen trees and bright, vivid violets. Violets were the official flowers of the Goddess, and the flower decorated the edges of the Wolfsblood royal crest. 

After a few more moments, during which Lyria and Aertis continued to stare about in awe, the carriages pulled to a stop in front of the castle. Lyle awoke with a start.

“Mmmm, I’m up, no porridge,” he mumbled sleepily, before his eyes snapped open and he realized where he was. “Oh,” he said, looking around. “Sorry. My mother always tried to get me to eat porridge as a child even though I hate it.”

“Uh, yeah,” Lyria said. “No problem. We’re here,” she added. Despite her misgivings about the entire situation she had found herself in, she had to admit that she was excited to see the castle. 

A royal servant, bearing the badge of an Omega on his tunic, opened the door to their carriage. Bowing deeply, he said, “welcome, honored guests,” before extending a hand to help Lyria out of the carriage.

“Moonlight guide you,” Lyria said as she stepped out of the carriage with the Omega’s assistance. She nodded a head courteously at him and he gave her a small smile. Stopping short on the wide, sweeping path, which was well-kept and tidy despite being dirt rather than paved with stone, she looked up at the castle. The light stone exterior was even more beautiful from that angle, which made the painted glass sparkle and the engravings on the stone slabs more prominent.

“Please follow me,” the Omega said, extending a hand to Aertis next. Aertis and Lyle hopped out of the carriage behind her and the three of them joined the larger group of their packmates, who all stood about before the large wood and gold doors to the castle. Silently, Lyria moved toward the back of the pack, as always. However, a moment later, the Omega called out, “can the contestant or contestants for this pack please step forward?”

Shyly, her face delicately blushing, Lyria stepped forward, out from the safety of the group. Aidria did the same, but her face showed no hint of embarrassment, only an unbridled eagerness. Lyria couldn’t help but notice the way Aidria’s eyes lingered on the gold adornments of the castle doors, or the way she took in how richly dressed this wolf, a mere Omega was. He wore a tunic of rich velvet in the colors of the family Wolfsblood, and the tunic was clean and neat. No Omega of Winding Road had ever seen such luxurious fabrics grace their bodies, despite the fact that Winding Road was a prosperous pack.

The Omega bowed low before them both and said, “whilst you stay here, as the invited guests of the King, you and your fellow contestants are to be honored above all others, save His Majesty. Each of you shall be assigned a personal Omega to assist you as well as a personal guard from His Majesty’s Warriors. Of course,” he inclined his head toward Alpha Windmere, “your delegation is welcome to supplement those assignments with your packmates.”

“Now,” he said, turning to the doors, which were taller than four of Lyria standing one atop the other, “I will show you all to your rooms.” He approached the door. Lyria wondered for a moment how it would be opened by just one Omega, who looked neither tall nor particularly strong, but as he approached, the doors swung open seemingly of their own accord.

Lyria was astounded, glancing backward at Aertis. Aertis looked just as puzzled, and shrugged, then leaned over and whispered something to Lyle, who shook his head. 

Turning back, Lyria gasped audibly as she entered a stunning room, at least two stories in height. It was covered in ornamental paintings, tapestries, rugs, and vases. In each corner was a sculpture of wolf, each time a different age, from young pup to Elder.

“Who is the sculpture supposed to be?” Aidria asked in an imperious tone. “Is she known for something? Is she a former Luna Queen?”

“That’s Mother Time,” Lyria said, annoyance rising in her voice slightly.

Aidria just looked at her blankly.

“The mother of the Goddess? The only being in existence before she gave birth to the Goddess?”

“Of course,” Aidria sneered. “I knew that. Obviously.” She turned to a nearby Omega and said, “that’s Mother Time, don’t you recognize her? What beautiful sculptures.”

Lyria rolled her eyes. 

The Omega, who had stood patiently to one side during this exchange, stepped back in front of the group and said, “Winding Road Pack has been given a place of honor. You will occupy the suites that we call ‘front of house,’ on the second floor at the front. If you look up,” he gestured up the staircase before them, “you will see the hallway that your suites are in. All except the competitors, who will be housed on the third floor. This is to avoid any appearance of impropriety, since the King’s chambers are on the second floor. The castle is very large, and it is easy to get lost, so please listen carefully. Further, if you are ever going to a part of the castle you haven’t been to before, please ask your Omega or any Royal servant to accompany you. Now, the first floor of the castle is laid out like a large square. If you go left, through that doorway,” he pointed, “you’ll reach the dining halls, the kitchen, the servant’s quarters, and the baths. Now, you will all have private rooms for washing, should you prefer, but the castle is built upon a natural well, thanks to the Bay of Bone that lies just behind us. The water is naturally heated. Any servant can explain how to access and use the baths. To my right is the library, the King’s council chambers, and a variety of offices for the King and his appointed officials. Straight forward, under the stairs, you see,” he gestured to a grand hallway formed in the wall between the branched stairs which framed it, “is the King’s throne room. Behind it is the ballroom. Upstairs on the second floor, at the back, is where the King’s chambers are. His son, the Prince, also keeps his rooms there. And finally, the Luna Queen’s suite is next to King Wolfsblood’s rooms. Upon pain of death, do not go in there for any reason. None, whatever. It is closed to all but the King and the Prince.”

The Omega turned to face them, looking serious. “That room has not been seen by any other eye since the day the Luna Queen died.”