Chapter 5: Robere.

"We've discovered new information about the pack you've asked us to keep an eye on, Your Majesty."

Excited to find a new lead, I placed the map that I was staring at back down onto the table I was sitting behind, urging the loyal Delta to take a seat on one of the chairs placed before the table.

"Do say, Ethan, what kind of information are we talking about?"

Seemingly thrown off by the informal address of his name, a smile itched to take hold of my lips, a sense of satisfaction settling at the pit of my stomach at the fact that I successfully teased dear Ethan once more.

"Well," he begins, zipping his bag open before taking a hold of a necklace covered in dried blood and presenting it to me, "we have found this laying around near their borders, specifically at a lake. We believe it belonged to the Witch we have been looking for since your father's death—may he rest in peace."

With the necklace laying now on to the very map I placed just a few moments ago, the crest that is so familiar to anyone who knows about the death of the former King decorated the pendant and stared right back at me, as if it was mocking my grief. The longer I stared at it, the faster the feeling of dread seeped into my veins, causing a hand to clench into a fist in order to ward off the shiver that threatened to follow after.

"It is safe to say, Your Majesty, that the Shadow Pack has something to do with your father's death."

A puff of air escaped my lips as the information finally registered in my mind.

Despite the passage of many years, my father's death continues to have a profound impact on me. I am in my thirties, and yet the mere mention of my father always transported me back to when I was seventeen, when the news of his death shocked everyone. Before I knew it, I was thrust into my new role as King.

At the time, celebrations were in order but, for the life of me, I couldn't even place a smile to reassure the Kingdom of a successful rule.

While everyone celebrated the new King, I was chained to a throne that had once belonged to my father and reminded me of how I had stolen it from him. Yes, it wasn't my fault, but I knew if his life hadn't been cut short, he'd be sitting on the throne that stood out in the hall, embellished with gold and velvet silk.

But then again, I never wanted to be King. It was more of a forced decision because there was no other option; my brother had always enjoyed being a warrior and had never sought the crown. So, as the older of the two by five years, when he realized his passion for strategy and warfare, he asked to relinquish the title of Crown Prince and pass it on to me.

"Is that all, Delta?"

Noticing the shift in my mood, Ethan quickly nodded before standing up and placing a closed fist onto the left side of his chest, over his heart, bowing slightly.

"Good work, you may leave." My voice came out as strained, rage threatening to tip over.

Just as he left, closing the door shut softly, I took hold of the necklace gripping it tightly as my teeth grinded against each other.

Finally, I shall avenge my father. I will stop at nothing until I see your head on a spike, you animal of a witch.

"Robere, darling, would you like to eat some of the strawberries I brought? They were picked out from my cousin's farm," said the blonde sitting next to me, the woman that held my heart, "you know how delicious they are. They are better than any strawberries the world has to offer."

We're sitting under a tree in my estate's backyard, away from the castle, with a blanket spread out for a small picnic between two lovers. It was warm and sunny, the perfect weather. Birds chirped their own version of a song, further calming me down after the news I've received this morning. Katherine pulls various fruits and sandwiches from the basket, showing me each container as I lay my head in her lap, admiring the emerald pools that are her eyes as a smile graced my lips.

Katherine and I were childhood friends. We met while I visited the countryside, my mother's family residing there. The nature of her did not stop her from approaching the brooding child that was I, her attempts at befriending me had come to be successful. Soon, we found ourselves eager to spend our time together, and I always asked my mother to take me with her when she visits her family, which was a first but my mother never questioned it.

As years passed, our mates never showed up. I personally had gone around into different packs to find mine, but I always left each pack disappointed. Time passed and I reached my twenties without finding my mate, five years of searching gone to waste, reaching the conclusion of my other half being dead.

Now, ten years later, I am thirty and very much in love with the woman who caressed my hair with care.

"Kat," I whispered her nickname into the silent breeze, bringing her hand that was busy playing with my hair towards my lips, pecking each finger with so much love, "I love you with my whole being."

A blush rose onto her cheeks, a sheepish smile taking a hold of her lips. I'll never get used to how beautiful she looks when she is flustered.

"What caused such a reaction, my darling?" She asked, a huff followed right after, "Was it the strawberries? Don't tell me you have a crush on my cousin…I'd like you to know she's in her late fifties and happily mated so you don't stand a chance!"

A laugh left my lips and echoed into the backyard, placing a palm on my stomach. Looking up at her, her face now resembled a tomato.

"Quit it! I am serious." She pouted.

"My love, as much as I love her strawberries, my heart belongs to you and you only. You don't have to worry."

"You better stay this way, I won't let you out of my grasp even when you beg me to, you're mine." She said, satisfied with his answer.

"Of course, my love."

We stayed in this position, enjoying each other's company and eating our lunch, until the sun set. Our time together came to an end when I noticed a boy running towards us with a letter in his hand, and as I watched him approach us, I noticed that the letter had the royal crest on it, indicating that it was undoubtedly from my brother.

I quickly stood up and rushed towards him, a letter from my brother coming as a surprise because he never contacts me through letters unless it's an urgent matter.

"Your Majesty, a letter from the castle," the boy said, bowing slightly as he handed me the letter.

"Thank you, you may leave."

When I turned around to excuse myself to read the letter, Katherine was already packing up, giving me a small smile once she noticed me looking at her.

"Go, I'm sure it's important. I'll finish cleaning up here and then go home."

With a grateful smile, I turned around and dashed towards my estate and my room. I opened the letter with my claw while sitting on a chair behind a table, taking a deep breath before beginning to read.

'Dear brother,

I apologize for the unexpected letter. I know you must believe that this letter is as important as the end of the world, but I'm not sure if this is the case.

I have a lone wolf in my care, not in the dungeon, but in a guest room. She was discovered near death at the edge of the Shadow Pack as I was returning to the castle. It's worth noting that I sensed the presence of magic around the spot where she was discovered. The lake was strange, and it's worth investigating; perhaps you'll find something related to the Witch we're looking for.

Sincerely,

Gael.'

I sat there, staring at the letter in silence.

The cursed lake being mentioned again by someone I least expected.

Ethan found the necklace near a lake, and my brother discovered the lone wolf near a peculiar lake.

It couldn't have been a coincidence; it had to be the same lake.

I sighed, running my hand through my hair, and stared at the moon, which was rising slowly, taking its time to fill the sky with stars that shone as brightly as it did.

It seems my presence at the castle is needed.