Chapter 3 /-Selene-/ GoldenCrest was even more beautiful than the rumors made it seem. From the buildings to the people in it, everything was just exceptional. We arrived at the palace, and my heart began racing, and I clutched the hem of my dress nervously. Kaelen must noticed how nervous I was because he took my hand gently. My face went beet red. Why was he so kind to me? As we walked in, the servants bowed to him. "Greetings, Your Highness." My heart stopped for a second in panic. Your Highness? What was he? A prince? The disdainful looks cast my way screamed the very thing I was thinking. I was unworthy to walk by his side, talk more of holding his hand. I tried to yank it away from him but his grip tightened, refusing to let me go. "They... they are staring..." I muttered, feeling my skin burn from the judgemental glares. "Please let go." "No." Came a simple response. I couldn't argue anymore and followed him timidly to a set of double doors. The guards pushed it open to reveal the magnificent throne room. From the golden statues to the sophisticated furniture, this place could easily pass as paradise. There were so many things to admire. The beautiful chandelier glowing with lights to the... "Greetings, Your Majesty," Kaelen's words snapped me back to reality, and I quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness," I muttered in a small voice. When I raised my head, I was stunned to see another Kaelen on the throne. The only difference was this one had black shoulder-length hair, and his eyes were sort of whitish. They were most likely twins but this one was very terrifying. His aura screamed raw power and he had this menacing look on his face. It made me want to wet my pants. "Did you bring the breeder, Kaelen?" He asked and I stiffened. Breeder? Me? I had to look at Kaelen again. Why would he want someone like me to breed with his brother? Was he trying to be cruel or something? Even a dog wouldn't sleep with me. "Even better, brother," Kaelen easily smiled and the King sniffed the air. A frown stretched across his face. "I'll leave you two to talk," Kaelen bowed and made to leave but I unconsciously grabbed his hand. He couldn't possibly leave me with this terrifying man who doesn't even seem to like me. "Please..." "You'll be fine, trust me," he mouthed and turned to leave. "Don't leave yet. Take her with you, her fear is irritating," The king said and I flinched. "Why won't she be afraid when you release such a menacing aura unprovoked?" Kaelen chuckled. "I brought her for you so deal with it, Thorne." Just like that, he left the room, leaving me with his terrifying twin. I rubbed my sweaty palms against my dress as he stared directly at the spot I stood even though he couldn't actually see me. It was very unnerving. His frown grew deeper with every second that passed and in two minutes, he was fully glaring at me. My legs trembled. "What do they call you?" His tone was icy. The exact opposite of his Kaelen's. "S...Selene..." "Come closer," he ordered. I wanted to obey him. I swear I really wanted to move at that moment but my legs wouldn't cooperate with me. It was as though I was paralyzed. "Make me repeat myself and I will kill you on the spot." That threat was more than enough to force my legs into action. I stumbled forward before I could even process his question. I barely got close when his guards blocked me. Didn't they hear when he told me to come close? "Forgive me for interfering, Your Highness, but I don't think it is safe to allow this hideous creature close to you," the guard said. "Hideous?" The king repeated with a clique of his tongue. "She has a scarred face with a prominent hunchback and her body is covered in scars and whip marks," the guard told him. I didn't think it was possible for the man to get more terrifying. "What?!" His aura suddenly spiked and both the guard and I dropped to our knees. In my case, it was worse because I was already spitting out blood. "How dare he?!" I didn't even realize when he moved or how he found me, but I knew one minute I was coughing, and the next, I was in the air, gasping and fighting to breathe. "Please..." I choked out. "You dare stand before me with these abnormalities and present yourself as a breeder? What am I supposed to produce with someone as worthless as you?" He barked, throwing me across the room. I cried out in pain but he didn't care for it. "Guards! Throw that thing out of the pack! I don't care if I dump her in the forest or in the well; I just want that thing out of my sight!" He growled. "And being Kaelen to me now!" The door opened and Kaelen already walked in, fully aware of the damage he had caused. He ordered everyone to leave and walked up to the fuming Thorne. He glanced at me and sighed when he saw my bleeding state. "That is not a nice way to treat our guest, brother," Kaelen said. "Is this a joke to you?" The king growled and I really wished Kaelen would stop messing around. He would get me killed. "No, I just think you should give her a chance to prove herself before slamming such a heavy sentence on her," Kaelen said. "I do not want that thing in my bed!" The King growled again. "Suggest that again and I will kill you both." Kaelen chuckled as the threat meant nothing. Maybe it was nothing to him since they were twin brothers but for me, that was a death sentence. "I'm sure Selene has many other talents that might interest you. Right, Selene?" Kaelen threw me a wink and I blinked, ignoring the heat in my cheeks. I had talents? "Don't be shy, tell him," he urged and I racked my brain for something that wouldn't take off my head. "I... I can clean..." "We have hundreds of cleaners here," Kaelen intercepted. I almost glared at him. Is he for me or against me? "I can sing all kinds of songs and lullabies..." "This is a waste of time," The Alpha growled and I flinched hard. "Get her out of my pack, Kaelen." "No!" I yelled before I could stop myself then mellowed when his head snapped in my direction. "I mean... wait please... I... I also have a speciality with herbs. I... I can cure anything, including your blindness..." The lie was so bold that even Kaelen looked at me with a shocked expression. A flicker of interest crossed the King's expression. "Is that so? You're saying you're a healer then?" "Yes," I lied boldly. "If you... give me a chance; I can cure you." "Very well then, you have four weeks. If you fail at the end of that period, I will have your head!" Oh, goddess! What have I done to myself? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!