Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The hall was fully packed.

Every councilman, noble, and high-ranking official from every corner of the realm lined the long table. Each of them murmuring, the last time they were gathered like this was after Elara's downfall. The king hadn't called on them ever since. They looked nervous and some anxious. They all went silent the moment the large double doors of the hall opened.

"Welcome, His Royal Majesty, King Thorne Vargan Rhukor," the announcer said.

They all stood up as Thorne walked in, eyes flickering over each of them. He finally sat down at the head of the table, and the rest of them followed.

Thorne didn't say a word, no, he let his eyes wander around them, watching some shift uncomfortably in their seats, some clear their throats, and some look away to avoid his gaze. 'Ah, they were all still so nervous… good.

He gave a curt nod for the meeting to begin. Carter stood up as per tradition for the head councilman to begin each court meeting. His hand braced against the table, already opening his mouth to speak—

"Your Majesty—" he began, but before a full word could leave his lips, Lord Harold, the newly appointed head councilman, stood up and cut him off.

"Your Majesty," he said with a polite nod toward Thorne, "The 254th meeting of the lords, nobles, and officials begins now. The court is in session," he announced.

Everyone looked between themselves. For a moment, Carter had forgotten he wasn't head councilman anymore. Carter cleared his throat and sat back down, his face burning in humiliation.

Thorne nodded to the new councilman who sat down. "I'm sure you are all aware of the situation in the realm," he began, eyes flickering through them all.

"The cases of the missing people all over the realm have been something of worry."

A ripple of murmurs passed through the chamber, as if the lords had been waiting for him to speak about it.

"We have had cases from Red Moon, Silver Water, and Crystal Moon pack. Over four Ty people have been reported missing throughout their packs, which is a cause for alarm. Their stories all match, and from what I have gathered so far, only the less privileged are being targeted. This goes to show that there's something happening. Something we all have been terribly oblivious to."

Silence settled over the room.

Thorne let the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "People are vanishing. Not just leaving their homes or running away but vanishing. Without a scent, a trail, or a single piece of evidence left behind. No bodies. No blood. Just… gone."

A few of the lords shifted in their seats, disturbed.

"So far, reports have only come from the packs I have mentioned so far. While investigation is going on about this. I would like everyone present here to make a headcount of their people and report back on those missing."

"Your Majesty… So far, from the southern part of the realm, there haven't been any reports of missing people," one noble spoke up.

"I've come to realize that a lot of you are very nonchalant about poorer people that live in your packs and thus… you barely hear of the things that happen with them. While there will be proper check-ins on each pack, it is an order that you all do a headcount and report back on those missing. You all have exactly three days to do this and send in your reports," Thorne's voice boomed through the hall.

"As your Majesty commands," they all chorused.

Thorne nodded, leaning back against the chair. "In the meantime, I will be using this opportunity to inform you all of my official mating ceremony. At exactly two moons from now, I will be taking my mate as queen. It is time the realm saw its queen beside me."

He didn't miss their reactions. While some shifted uncomfortably in their seats, some smiled. The topic of his mating didn't sit well with the majority of them; after all, they had all shipped their daughters to him in hopes that he would take one as his mate. How ridiculous.

"Forgive me for saying, My King, but with the recent developments in the realm. Would it be okay to have a celebration?" A councilman piped up.

Thorne frowned…

"I speak from a place of care, my King. The people are going missing at a rapid pace. A celebration will only make it easier for whoever is doing this to have a perfect opportunity," the man said.

Thorne didn't speak for a moment.

He let the silence stretch, long enough for the nervous councilman to begin shifting in his seat.

"If there is someone behind these disappearances, and if they intend to strike during the mating ceremony…" Thorne leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Let them. I want them to know I'm watching. I want them to try."

His voice dropped lower, almost dangerous. "And I want to see their faces when they fail."

No one dared respond.

He sat back. "There will be security, more than ever before. No guest enters without clearance. No outsider moves without supervision. I will not cancel a celebration because of fear. The people need a reason to hope. They need to see that we are still standing."

The councilman who had spoken bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good." Thorne rose to his feet, signaling the end of the session. "You have three days to submit your headcounts. Dismissed."

He paused in his steps, eyes flicking back to the councilmen, and they all froze in their seats, waiting.

"Lord Carter, come with me. I want to speak to you," he said and stepped out, knowing the said man was behind him.

_________

The carriage stopped right at the palace entrance, and Radek stepped out, the cold air hitting his face first. He looked over the large building, scowling.

He didn't forget the humiliation he faced in this same place. It was branded into his skin.

"The council meeting is over, Alpha. The king is heading to his office now," his hair's revealed.

When he'd gotten the message for him to show up at the palace today, he'd been shocked rightfully so. The king had stripped him of his power and title. There was nothing as embarrassing as that. For the past four months, he'd done exactly as Lord Carter said. Stay out of sight and mind. Up until today.

He exhaled, flexing his hands a little and gearing up for whatever awaited him inside the palace. He stepped into the palace grounds, making his way towards the King's office only to halt in his eyes as his eyes found the one person responsible for his predicament.

Adina.

His jaw clenched hard, remembering just how many nights he had to spend in the dungeon all because of her. The lashings he got from Veronica, From Lord Carter. The humiliation burned into his skin.

There she was, going about her day like she didn't just ruin his life over a little touching… she just had to blow it out of proportion.

He could see her coming closer, talking to another lowlife like herself. She hadn't seen him yet. He should get out of the way, not draw attention to himself and yet… he couldn't. Seeing her again after all these months had his skin buzzing with need. Need to strangle the life out of her… need to bury his cock in her heat. To feel what Thorne felt with her. To punish her and the king… He could imagine it, Thorne's face as he watched Radek pou—

"Alpha," the guard whispered as Adina approached. Radek was too caught up in his thoughts, he didn't move away.

Adina looked up seeing the person blocking the way only to freeze in her steps. It was Radek. The same man from that day.

She hadn't seen him, not since that time his punishment was being decided and now… She straightened her back, face hard, a brow raised questioningly.

The guard looked between them, "A-Alpha, this is Lady Adina, King Thorne's mate and our future Queen," he said nervously.

Radek doesn't respond, his gaze stuck on Adina and after some seconds, he forced a smile on his face, bowing stiffly. "My lady," he gritted out.

Adina gave a curt nod, choosing not to respond.

Radek slowly stepped out of the way for her, and she walked past him without speaking a word, just as she was about to step out, he spoke up again.

"Congratulations… On the mating ceremony."

Adina paused, but she didn't look back. "Thank you," she said flatly.

The moment she was out of his view, Radek licked his teeth, gaze still fixed on the spot she'd disappeared into.

Soon, he thought. Very soon.