The Golden Goddess

Bewitched

Lorcan

“This is our Beta Kiaus,” Alpha Aramis turned to gesture towards the man by his side. He placed his fist on his pec and bent at the waist to me. I returned the gesture. “And you already know my head warriors Rafandra and Kafele Usoro. It is good to have you back, boys,” the Alpha smiled at them and they both bowed their heads in respect.

I turned to gesture towards Neve and Leif to introduce them. “This is my brother Leif and my friend Neve. Neve has found her mates in Rafandra and Kafele.”

Alpha Aramis raised one eyebrow in pleasant surprise and smiled at Neve, “Congratulations. You have two of the finest warriors to worship you. You must be quite a woman.”

“Thank you. I feel very lucky,” Neve smiled shyly as Rafandra shuffled on his feet a little awkwardly but Kafele smiled down at her.

His eyes cast over to Leif and he frowned immediately, “He is your brother but he is not a wolf?”

“No. I’m a pure-blooded dark warlock,” Leif stepped forward with a wide smile.

“I hope that will not be a problem,” I turned back to the Alpha as he lifted his chin, his eyes darkening slightly with distrust.

“I am afraid it is. In this realm, the magical and the wolves tolerate each other but we do not mix. We have very strict rules on this. You may visit and be invited into our pack but you cannot stay here. It will make my people uncomfortable. There is a protected coven, east of our territory that resides within our walls. You may feel more welcome there.”

“With all due respect, he is my brother—” I started to argue but Leif placed his hand on my shoulder with a bright smile.

“Thank you, Alpha Aramis. I will feel more comfortable there. That is not a problem at all,” Leif squeezed my shoulder and I exhaled deeply. He was doing it for me so we didn’t cause a scene and get off on a wrong foot with this King.

“Thank you for your understanding. I will send for a witch from the coven to come and meet you. Would you like some food or refreshments while you wait?”

“I’ll never say no to food or refreshments,” Leif smirked before he covered my hand with his. I felt a cold metal wrap around one of my fingers under his hand and I looked into his unique eyes. “If you need me,” he whispered, releasing my hand to show a metal ring with a black granite stone on top. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” He laughed as he walked away with two guards to a room off the side of the grand corridor we were all standing in.

“I think I should probably explain that I am also half pure witch,” Neve lifted her chin with pride as she met the Alpha’s eyes. “I am a hybrid. My mother is a pure witch and my father is a Beta wolf.”

Kafele looked immediately on edge as he gazed at his Alpha, silently seeking his acceptance but it was Rafandra’s shocked and dark expression that confused me. Did he not know this?

“Hmm, seeing as you have a wolf and are mated to my best warriors, there will be no issue. You are very welcome into the Heroux pack, Neve. But there are strict rules about using your magic within the pack territory. As long as they are respected, there should be no problem.”

“I will,” she smiled and Kafele breathed out in relief while Rafandra stood like a cold statue; rigid and emotionless.

“Now the introductions have been made, let me take you to the grand hall where we have prepared a feast to welcome you. Many of the most influential pack members are waiting inside.”

“Is your daughter going to be there? The Golden Goddess?” Neve asked and I nudged her in the ribs subtly as she glared up at me.

The Alpha paused slightly at the door but quickly composed himself. “The Golden Goddess will make an appearance later. She is currently resting but very much looking forward to meeting our Saviour,” he smiled at me tightly but I could already see the protective look in his eye at having to discuss her with us. He opened the doors to a huge room made entirely of wood and decorated with large banners and a giant, iron wolf’s head above the stage of thrones. I froze as my eyes became drawn to it.

‘Hey! That’s me! I look good!’ Typhon chuckled in my head. I quickly straightened my spine and followed them into the hall. All the pack members who were already sitting at long, oak tables immediately stood up and bowed their heads in greeting.

We made it to the head table on the stage where there were only four thrones. Rafandra, Kafele and Neve moved over to another table full of warriors and I followed the Alpha and Beta onto the stage. Alpha Aramis made my introduction and announced that everyone could dig into the elaborate feast of meats, fruits, vegetables and drinks on the tables. I took a seat on one side of the Alpha while the Beta took the one on his left. He asked me questions about my family and the human realm, showing a natural curiosity as to who I was and where I came from. I answered him truthfully and he was very surprised to hear how my family was so mixed with so many species and bloodlines. I could tell, even as he spoke to me, he was still guarded. Unsure about whether I was who he hoped I was and could truly help his people.

“I will be honest with you Alpha Aramis,” I lowered my voice as I sat back against the throne, trying my best to ignore the constant stares from the rest of the people sitting on the tables below us. “I only found out two days ago that I was supposedly the reincarnation of the first wolf to have been created. This is all very new to me, but I do believe it to be true. My wolf, Typhon, is… unique. And the moment I heard about the trouble in your realm, I knew it was my destiny to help. So here I am. I cannot promise you any more than the fact that I am willing to put my life on the line for your people. I have seen what you are up against and I will try my best to help you overcome your enemy.”

“That is all I can ask for,” the Alpha replied with gratitude in his brown eyes. “We shall meet tomorrow to discuss the war in depth but for now, please enjoy yourself.”

I nodded and relaxed back into my chair. As I scanned the room and all the curious faces of warriors, pack members and the King’s council, an idea struck me. If I was going to make a real difference here, I didn’t want to be put on a pedestal and treated like some superior celebrity. I wanted these people to feel like I was one of them.

“Alpha Aramis, thank you for inviting me to sit at your table but I would like to get to know the people I am truly here for. Your pack. Would you object if I sat with them?”

The Alpha recovered from his shock quickly, nodding his approval, but the Beta Kiaus was still frowning with confusion as I stood up and moved around the table. The chatter in the room died down as I approached the first table of warriors. I smiled, patted one on the back as he scooted over to allow me to sit down on the narrow bench. Everyone was staring as I picked up a piece of bread and ripped it open before lifting my gaze around the table at all the warriors' faces.

“So… where can I get myself one of those fancy fur skirts?” I shouted and they all roared with laughter, causing the room to come alive with banter and chatter once more. Neve smiled at me from her position at the end of the table and I shot her a wink.

The ale was flowing and hours had passed with more and more pack members filtering through the doors to join the celebrations. I had to admit, I was having an awesome time. These men were fierce, brave, brutally honest and loved to rip each other to pieces in the name of humour. My kind of people. But they were all more interested in asking me questions about the human realm, the women, the battles, the species and… the humans. There were only magical beings and wolves in this realm so they had never seen a human before.

“So, do you have a mate, Saviour?” one warrior named Wredon asked as he topped my gold cup full of ale.

I shook my head as I took a sip.

“Ah, don’t you worry! There will be more than enough unmated she-wolves here to keep your bed warm. In fact, you’ll be taking your pick from the best, I’m sure!” the warrior, Hansil, slapped me on the back and chuckled.

“Haven’t you heard? The King has already got that covered,” Wredon replied.

“What do you mean?” I asked with a serious frown.

“Once the feast is over, he’ll open the Golden Temple for us unmated wolves to have a little fun. All for your benefit of course,” Wredon winked. I smiled, downing enough ale to hope that it wouldn't be as awfully sleazy as it sounded.

“Where is the Luna?” I asked the question that had been playing on my mind since I arrived. The men around me all fell quiet and shifted their gazes uncomfortably. “What?”

“We don’t speak of our Luna. She is with the Gods,” Jarik answered.

“Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.”

“It is a story for another time,” Wredon raised his glass and downed it in one go. My eyes cast over to Neve who shrugged her shoulders too.

Suddenly, the doors to the grand hall opened and one of the guards stepped inside the room. “The Golden Goddess,” he bellowed and everyone rapidly rose to their feet, the screeching of wooden benches on the floor echoed around the room. Neve and I stood up to join them as I turned to look over at the doors. I saw a flurry of shimmering gold enter the room and then a sharp tug on the sleeve of my leather jacket caused me to look down at Hansil, kneeling on the floor with his head bowed low. I soon realised that everyone was in that position except the King. Not wanting to offend or stand out like a sore thumb, I copied them all as the faint sound of padded feet grew louder.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I stared at the old, oak slats of the floorboards. My heart started pounding uncontrollably and the most intense need to look up had me paralysed. All I could do was stare at the small imperfection in the dark oak below my knee in an attempt to hold onto my self-restraint. The power of her presence was all-consuming. And the moment I felt her right next to me, walking gracefully down the aisle my eyes couldn’t help but steal a glance at the bottom of her dress and the delicate trim of gold that floated behind her. She took another step and I noticed she wasn’t wearing shoes. She was completely barefoot. And then it hit me. The moment her body had passed mine, it left a trail of the sweetest scent I had ever smelt. I couldn’t even pinpoint what it was. The best way to describe it was how I imagined sunshine to smell if you were able to bottle up a ray.

I closed my eyes, longing to bask in it for a little bit longer before it faded away with her presence. I was left feeling cold and longing for more. It took everything in my body not to move. My muscles physically ached from the tension it was causing me.

“You may rise,” the King finally said and we all stood again before everyone turned and sat back down, continuing with their meals. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I continued to look down at the floorboards, frozen in place. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as they waited for my next move.

“Lorcan, please come and meet my daughter, The Golden Goddess,” I heard Alpha Aramis' commanding tone but it still took me a moment to regain control over my limbs. I stepped forward from the table, still keeping my gaze on the floor as a sign of respect, until I saw the steps of the stage before me. “You may greet her.”

I bent on one knee, raised my fist to my chest and kept my head low as I said, “Golden Goddess, thank you for welcoming me to your home.”

Rafandra’s words were playing in my head on repeat. Don’t look upon her. Don’t speak to her unless given permission again. Don’t touch her.

‘f**k this! You have to look at her! I want to see her! She smells like heaven,’ Typhon encouraged me like the devil on my shoulder.

“With the King and Goddess’ permission, I would like to greet the woman who brought me here with her visions the way I am accustomed to in my realm,” I said, my voice coming out deeper than usual as Typhon pushed his dominance to the surface.

There was a pause and I didn’t dare to look up at the Alpha. I waited. My whole body was alive with nerve endings that tingled and ached the longer I was denied.

“You may,” the King finally spoke after what felt like forever. I rose from my knee confidently, my mind set on knowing I had to look upon this woman at least once and I was going to take my opportunity while I could. I climbed the steps to the stage until I saw the petite bare feet from under her gold dress. My eyes slowly tracked the golden shimmery skin of slender legs that snaked out of an exquisitely lavish gold dress. Her hips were hugged by the fabric showing her womanly form that narrowed at her waist. Small, perfectly shaped breasts moulded by the golden detail of the revealing dress had my mouth watering. I paused as I swallowed my instant arousal and tried to gain some more control. Cautiously, I reached forward for her hand that was under her silk, floor length veil. The second her soft skin slid against my rough, callous hands, a shot of electricity rocketed to my groin and I had to fight a moan. I lifted her hand slowly as I bent at the waist and pressed my lips to the top of her hand. I heard a small growl from behind her, but I was too intoxicated with her skin against my lips to care who it was. Finally, I could bear it no longer.

With my lips still on her skin, I glanced up.

My eyes were met with the most stunning golden irises that shimmered and weaved with speckles of black near the centre from behind a golden headpiece. A tiny breath escaped her plump glossed lips as we stared into each other's eyes. Her silky, wavy hair was mostly hidden under a veil that was attached to an elegant crown on her head but I could still imagine how soft and smooth it would be to run my fingers through it. I forced my lips away from her hand but kept it in my grasp and stood straight, never looking away from her captivating gaze.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Goddess,” I said, my voice thick with desire that I was trying my best to hide.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she replied. Her voice had a surprisingly deep and sexy husk to it that had my body heating with delicious need. “I have waited for you for a long time, White Wolf.”

My heart pounded and d**k pulsed on her words. I allowed my eyes to flare with Typhon’s power as he wanted to show his presence. Her full lips curved up into a dazzling smile. And that was all it took.

I was bewitched.