Feral Hearts

Chapter 1 Louise's POV

The sun is bright while birds chirped merrily. My heart enjoyed peace yet, my mind is in haze.

Time has come, as my eyes roamed around the palace. I can see how this place had stand firm together with its ruler. For some reasons, they are savage beast but enjoying their lives as royalty.

But truly, the royals are gifted with power and wealth. Everything screamed sumptuous and I am left with my mouth gaping wide.

I realize that the structure of this place is rather ominous. The entrance was made of one sheet of thick, solid metal and it was sealed shut.

Then laughing to myself, I realize that I look like a small pup with eyes gleaming in eagerness. Though I know the reason why, because the scene is too much for me and hell! Goddess would know how hard I tried to suppress my mouth from screaming in excitement.

Gulping down my nervousness, I stepped away from the balcony and moved deeper into the building.

There were fewer portraits of people and most images were of wolves tearing into others during battles.

And all of these show histories that the royals valued the most. But one portrait is quite different because among all, it is the only one who shows obscene image.

A beast-man mounting a topless female and her face contorted in a way that made me shiver.

Blushing, I blink my eyes and tried to erase my dirty thoughts or move my attention away from the dirty ideas and focus in other things such as observing the place and taking in the little details that I feel fascinated about.

And with too much effort, I made sure that I have the chance to savor this experience.

Then I scan the surroundings trying to understand everything within my mind.

But what really caught my eyes and attention are the walls with some beautiful swirls and traditional symbols carved on them. It made them look magnificent. Like a piece of art that adds an intimidating yet mysterious theme. And it drives question within my mind.

What does the symbol mean?

Why would the royals choose this kind of design?

I raise my hand and let my fingers trace the carvings and to my joy I felt a little calm.

"I can see your fascination with the carvings. And I didn't expect that a famous healer like you would set his eyes glued to these arts," a baritone voice said from behind me, which made me jump in fright.

Goddess!

"I-I'm sorry I just—"

"You don't need to apologized healer, you came here for our king and we are more than thankful for that," he murmured before I heard his footsteps moves a little closer to my comfort.

I felt my nerves are running wild inside my head. Then again, I remembered why I am in a state of haze awhile ago.

Because I didn't expect that my life would pushed me towards this situation, where I need to face this kind of stage, a stage with hungry eyes watching my every move, calculating if they can pounce at me and make me submit.

So, with trembling hands, I grip my satchel harder. Praying that he won't smell my fear and he won't smell my secrets.

"That carvings, symbolize a wolf’s creed, a creed for its other half, more of a promise. A promise that he will protect, own and love his or her beloved. And these carvings are important for us, the same with the idea of mates. Because wolves would need their mates to survive," he mumbled in a hopeful tone.

And even though I can't see him, still I can sense the hint of his smile plastered on his lips.

And I'm right about it, because when he finally made his way in front of me. My sight is greeted with his dreamy eyes as if he is in bliss just thinking about mates, as well with the sight of his lips stretched into a wide smile.

To be honest, his face is something that women in my village would scream for. But there's something sinister behind his eyes.

Wolves are dangerous, they are beautiful creature but they can't change the fact that the abyss embraced them from within.

And this man is not only hiding his nakedness behind his luxurious clothes.

Because the fact that his monster is crawling behind his skin is something that can make a human fear him.

He's a devil hunter! And standing in front of him is not something that I would be proud of and if I would choose? Then I would rather work with my herbs in my own garden.

I'll rather soil my hands or cure ordinary people who needs my medicine than try my best to please this inhumane beast.

"I am aware with that Beta," I said before bowing my head in submission.

This man is the second in command, the man who can ask his warriors to put my head in a stake or pull my head away from my neck with just a snap of his fingers.

And I need to be more cautious of my actions. I can't let him sense my lies and sense that I am not someone he can trust.

"Quit the formalities healer, I heard that you are someone who is capable to heal either human or wolf." I bit my inside cheeks in frustration.

I am just a low-profile healer but I didn't expect that my name would spread like a wildfire and now because of that, I had to risk myself to come and show myself after receiving a letter from this man.

Shit!

I've been hiding and keeping my personality in private but now here I am, letting a new set of powerful eyes scan my skin almost seeing through my facade.

"Words are just words, and not seeing me do the deed won't guarantee that I am really a healer with a good healing talent," I answered him without raising my head to meet his scrutinizing eyes.

"Then that's the reason why you are here, you should show us through actions." I sighed; this is what I'm afraid of.

And why do I need to prove myself to them?

Why should I heal their king?

A king who treated humans as slaves, and a king who tolerates abuse especially when it involves humans.

Everyone is afraid of him. His name sends terror and he is a mystery that everyone is afraid to solve.

The king was a man hiding behind this palace. I haven't seen him yet, but the elders in our village spread stories about him. How he had these deep, Prussian blue eyes that could make you uncomfortable.

"Healer—"

Seeing me unmoved, his forehead knotted into frown.

"I know you are aware about our king's condition—"

"Yes, I am Beta, but I am a mere human, and his highness won't definitely trust me. And I am not sure if I can able to heal him. Yes, I can heal wolves but their status and their wounds are not to be compared with his highnesses—"

"The king is not wounded or ill healer Louise," he said in a tone that made my ears perks up waiting for his next words but I just hope I didn't and I just hope I refuse to hear him out, because hearing his next words signed me a ticket to the idea that I can't escape this situation anymore.

"He turned feral." My mind froze and fails to process his words for it is too much to handle.

He turned a what?

But being feral means his wolf gains more control over the body than his human.

But it only happens when his wolf loses its patience, patience in finding his fated one and patience to mate.

I felt shiver run over my spine. I only encountered two wolves who turned feral and it was one of my secrets. I've been putting efforts to heal them yet there are only two ways.

First, find his beloved and second find a suitable mate that the wolf finds appealing to its taste.

But these feral wolves are hard to deal with, because they can kill you in a blink of an eye or go for a hunt which is unpredictable.

They are bloodthirsty beast that their instinct heightens. They become more possessive and abusive.

I've seen their eyes turns red in rage and blood only satisfies their thirst.

When that moment, their tongues touches blood, their human soul resurface but still feral don't have control over their wolves.

And what more if the King of wolves, who is more powerful, turned into a vicious beast?

Then it would be chaos, risky, and unsafe.

Hell!

"Aye, I know it's frightening, but..."

Yes, it was!

So how can he push me to do the act when all along he knew that it was risky?

"It is not a secret that one of my warriors turned feral and suddenly he came back with news that he was healed. And you know what he told me?" I swallow hard knowing where this conversation would lead to.

"But he's just a regular wolf and his mate helped him regain—"

"Our king is more important than your words or even you healer," he snapped at me, with his eyes glowing silver making me gulp.

"You only have two choices Louise. Heal him and walk out alive or die," he said ending with a snarl.

I can't believe that he can change his mood right away. And I can't deny that he indeed, has power over his people.

Thus, I can sense his dominant side surfacing and if I continue to refuse him then I would really face death.

But either I accept his offer then the king won't heal, definitely! I would still face death.

And If I run away from here, my peaceful life would be chaotic and they won't stop chasing me.

"I-I'm sorry Beta but I am just confused. Why me? I mean, I am just a mere ordinary lad. And not even compared to the best healer here in the palace," I said making sure I don't utter words that can trigger his wolf again.

And I am succeeding because finally I can see the cloud silver in his eyes fades not a second later.

"He abused and killed all the healers that tried to help him. His wolf is more feral which is out of control. He even refused help, he either kills a woman healer or either abused them wanting to mate with them." I gasp, how cruel!

I started to feel sweats forming on my forehead.

"T-Then this is not only because I am a healer, right? T-This is because I am a male healer, that's why you choose me." He nodded and that made me gritted my teeth.

I can hear warning bells inside my head and it all scream for me to escape.

"Male healer won't call for his beast—"

"I-I'm sorry Beta but I can't do this, yes I am male healer and it's unfair for you to only choose me for that reason! And how can you be assured that he will heal? Again, I'm sorry but we both know and everyone knows that only his mate can heal him or his chosen one." I gave him a small smile, and I can see the desperation written all over his face.

But I can't, I really can't do it.

"I can only give you these supplements and herbs that I have to help him suppress his beast. With these, he won't need blood to satisfy his thirst. But these supplements would only satisfy his beast for the meantime—"

I am halted in my mid-sentence when suddenly something pierces the silence.

"No! Please n-no!" I heard a scream which made my eyes grew wide. That scream is from a woman who might be wounded.

Even the Beta seems uncomfortable and with my instinct, I can't stop myself from running after the noise.

Shit!

I am a healer and hearing someone is being harmed made my senses go wild.

"N-No please your highness," she said while whimpering and I can sense that she's turning weak with her voice getting weaker but when I am now facing the large door where the noises came from, my body halted and my knees almost lost its balance.

What the hell is happening to me?

I fix myself and with my new courage I ought to push the door open, but someone pull me back and made me face him.

"Are you out of your mind healer? The room belongs to the king. And you are about to sign your ticket towards death—"

"And what should I do? I am a healer Beta and a healer won't let this situation happen without doing his or her duty," I determinedly said making his mouth hang open.

No! I can't let this happen.

I can't let it happen again.

I am now a healer, a healer that saves life and not someone who stands back while someone was being harmed.

"H-Highness please spares me," the woman cried out and that gave me more reason to be strong.

And without the Beta's permission I forcefully push the door open, which created a loud bang.

But when the sight greeted me, my mind turned blank.

I saw blood splattered on the floor but what made me confused was the fact that the woman was smiling facing me with the evil glint on her eyes.

W-What is happening?

I can see her nakedness and with her smile on her lips I can say that she enjoyed everything.

"Look my king, someone wants to join our show," she seductively said while scanning my body before biting her lower lip.

W-Wait what?

"Lucas! We're sorry for intruding. He is the new healer and he isn't aware about the—"

The Beta talks too fast that I didn't catch up his other words.

While on the other hand, I bow my head in shame not expecting that I would be in this situation. An embarrassing situation to be exact!

"Beta," I gasped in shock, the king had finally let out a word after a long pause but his voice is satin like and laced with coldness and power.

I can feel something within me stirred which made me take a step back.

"Don't," he muttered and I blinked a multiple time while staring at the marbled floor, daring it to swallow me alive.

"There's lassie around here that smell delectable Beta." His words came out deep, throaty and frightening and it made me wanted to sprint away from this place.

"I can smell my beloved; I can smell her sweet scent. My queen is here Beta! I should mark her! I should have her!" he screamed with desperation and ending his words with a growl that gave me a hint that he is losing the battle of control to his wolf.

He can't keep his wolf at bay and it’s dangerous.

But his possessive nature is terrifying. Maybe his wolf is in daze thinking that his mate is somewhere close in the palace.

"L-Lucas your eyes, they're turning r-red," Beta announced and without thinking I raised my head out of curiosity.

Peeking on his appearance I can see his lips are dark red with some hint of smudges of blood on them, his strong jaw also tightened trying to control himself but I can see that he is failing.

I tried to sneak a peek on his eyes but I didn't expect that he is also staring at me and when our eyes met his Prussian blue eyes turned dark red with the hint of golden rings.

Feral, he is turning into one.

"Mate," I heard him snarl which made me gasped with realization.

Taking a step back, those dark eyes darted. He seemed to mirror the same determination that is now creeping within me, him being determined to own me.

And I, being determined to run which he seems to read my mind because I can see how he started to lose his control. His fangs elongated and that's my cue.

Hell! I need to run.

Goddess! s**t I need to escape.

Escape that I would rather choose, than letting him snatch the little sanity that I have within me and I can't risk everything that I have for him.

With those thoughts I had mustered strength to push my feet harder, running a little faster.

"Chase him!"

I won't let you have me king, never.

If risking my last secret can make me escape this situation then I would.

"Aperta Portal," I whispered in the wind and when I turned my gaze towards him.

I saw how his eyes grew wide, seeing how my body slowly fades.

And realizing what is happening, he stops from chasing me and gritted his teeth.

But I can see hatred written in his eyes as he mouthed for the last time the word that made me feel something crawling within me.

"Mine."

I won't let you, never!