Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina didn't stop running until she reached her room. She slammed the door behind her, chest heaving heavily like she'd run a marathon. She leaned back against the door, eyes squeezed shut.

Her dress clung to her like a second skin. She stared at the ceiling for a second, then muttered, "What the hell was that?" she whispered, pressing a trembling hand to her chest.

Her skin still tingled from where his hands had been. Her lips… she reached up to touch them, cheeks flaming. She almost kissed the king. Again.

She let out a shaky breath and slid to the floor.

Thorne stepped out of the bathroom, a towel resting on his shoulder, droplets gliding down his chest, his dark hair damp and swept back.

His gaze fell to the herbal tea the maid had brought earlier, and he glared at it like it had physically stepped into the bathroom and interrupted his time with Adina.

He huffed, turning away from it only to pause in his steps when he laid eyes on his beta.

Caelum stood by the door, watching him curiously like he had expected him to hurl the tea at the wall.

"What are you doing, Caelum?" He asked, walking over to get ready.

"I just saw Adina sprint by like her life depended on it. Soaked. And flustered," Caelum paused, but Thorne didn't miss the tease in his voice. "Should I assume that's your doing, My king?"

Thorne didn't dignify him with an answer. He just shot him a look, one that could send lesser men fleeing.

"Get on with it. Why have you come?" He asked, taking out his clothes.

"Of course, of course," Caelum nodded. "I've got news. One I know will interest you."

Thorne looked at him, brows cocked up. "Speak."

"Councilman Carter called for an emergency meeting with the council."

"Emergency meeting? That took him long enough," Thorne replied. "And what was the outcome of the meeting?" He asked.

Caelum grinned, "Why not hear it from the source?"

"From the source?" Thorne asked, and the beta nodded.

"In your office, waiting for you. I came to tell you that," he replied, and Thorne hummed, "Okay."

Minutes later, the study door opened, and Thorne stepped in. His gaze fell straight to the man who had come with only one goal in mind.

The man stood up instantly and fell to his knees. "Your majesty!" He said in a loud voice, then bowed deeply so that his forehead touched the ground.

Thorne hummed as he settled in his chair. "You may rise now, Lord Varrick."

Varrick straightened up but didn't stand, no—he continued kneeling. "Forgive me, my king, but I'll remain where I am," he said.

Thorne quirked his brows. "And why may that be?"

Varrick exhaled deeply. "I come with urgent and very important news, Your majesty."

Thorne nodded again, his gaze falling to the door that had been opened as Caelum stepped in with some documents.

"So I've heard, Lord Varrick. What news could be this important and urgent to have you here?"

"Your majesty," he began, "I—I hope you'll forgive this unannounced visit," Varrick stammered, still kneeling as if the floor might open up and swallow him if he dared move without permission. "But I come not just on my own behalf… but as a voice for my pack and my house as well."

Thorne leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Your house?" he repeated, his voice quiet.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Varrick swallowed thickly. "We have heard of the things happening with Bloodcrest pack and its Alpha Radek. The allegations made against him are serious, and even the head councilman is in disarray over this."

He glanced at Thorne again. "Lord Carter called for an emergency meeting, my king."

Thorne nodded again. "So I've heard."

"M-My Lord…" he stammered, looking at Thorne. "I realize the severity of the situation at hand, and while I have done some things I'm not proud of—I- I hope that his majesty, in his imminent kindness and grace, will grant me and my house leverage."

Thorne cocked his brows. "Are you asking that I spare you for the crimes you've committed if you tell me what it is you've come to tell me? Is that it, Lord Varrick?" He asked, his voice deep and smooth.

The Lord shook his head so hard Caelum thought it would fall. "N-never, my king! I dare not," he rushed out, bowing again.

Thorne hummed, "Then speak. I will decide if your intentions are good and what to do about your crimes."

Varrick nodded, glancing at Caelum then back at Thorne. "Lord Carter has forced all of our hands, My king. For the many favors he's done for us all. He's asking for his payment now."

"And what might that be?"

"He wants us to oppose your rule. He wants a united front against your majesty."

Thorne didn't flinch. He simply stared at Varrick, unreadable, fingers still steepled. "And what was the unanimous decision?"

Varrick looked away, shame twisting in his guts. "Everyone agreed to stand against you, My king." He paused for a beat. "Except me. I told him I'll think about it. But in truth, I only needed time to get here. I couldn't—I won't—stand against you, my king."

Thorne leaned back slowly, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. "So you're saying you chose loyalty and the other councilmen stood against me."

Varrick nodded. "Exactly, My king. Only I had the guts to stand against him and take your side. Lord Carter has grown too arrogant because of the position you've given him, and now he thinks he can bite the hand that feeds him."

Thorne smirked. Varrick coming here to showcase his loyalty was only because of one thing. He eyed the position given to Carter. He wanted it as if it were his birthright.

"You came to the right place," he said quietly. "There is mercy for those who choose to stay loyal." He paused for a second. "Tell me everything you know. I want to know exactly how deep this rot goes."

Varrick looked relieved, shoulders sagging. "Yes, my king. I'll tell you everything. From the council deals Carter's made… to the alliances he's forming in secret. The favors. The threats. Even some of the bribes. I kept the records."

That got Caelum's attention. "You kept records?"

Varrick nodded. "In case it ever turned on me. I'm a coward, not a fool."

Thorne looked at Caelum, then back at Varrick. "You did well, Lord Varrick. You'll be rewarded. In fact…" he glanced back at his desk, "I always thought the head councilman position suited you better than it did Carter."

Varrick's eyes widened. "My king—!"

Thorne raised a hand. "Don't thank me yet. Prove your loyalty. Bring those records."

Varrick nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Majesty. At once." He couldn't even hide the smile on his face.

"I'll take my leave now, My king, and I will return with everything you have asked for," he said, bowing so deeply he almost laid flat on the floor.

Thorne dismissed him with a flick of his wrist, watching as the man scrambled up and left the study, leaving only him and Caelum.

This only began with Radek assaulting Adina, but now…it's grown much worse. Why was Carter going this far, for a man like Radek? He didn't even do this much when his own son was murdered.

Caelum watched him for a beat, then asked, "What now?"

Thorne turned to him, eyes darkening. "Now we pay a visit to Radek."