"Kneel, you can show your people how you look after them." Myrene, the Lycan Queen said in a soft voice. But her tone was insulting.
Logan, the Alpha of the Nightshade pack, stood with bated breath under the throne of the Lycan kingdom, in front of many people he didn't recognize, who were now looking at him with a mixture of pity and contempt.
As an Alpha with high self-esteem and dominance, he could not allow himself to be humiliated like this. Especially by a young woman who relied on power like Myrene.
But, Logan knew one thing, he was there because they were lost. He failed to protect his flock. And they were all now being held captive because he failed to lead.
Logan looked down. The chained herd behind him caught his attention with a heavy heart. They looked at him expectantly, but it was clear they would not allow him to grovel before the queen.
A Lycan soldier shouted, "Kneel!" Logan was intimidated and under enormous pressure.
His pride... Logan clenched his fists. He looked at Myrene who was currently smiling infuriatingly. Logan's mind raced as he weighed the options before him. He knew that his pride was not worth sacrificing the safety and well-being of his pack.
"I've already declared my defeat. Why should I kneel before you?" said Logan, stressed. His chest was heaving with anger. Many of his flock had been killed because of Myrene, and the woman was still not satisfied.
Myrene chuckled fearfully. "Well, you will be my husband. Of course, you have to submit yourself to me. You have to show loyalty. And I will take care of your pack."
Logan widened his eyes. "What are you talking about? I am not going to marry you!"
This was crazy! Logan felt cheated. He would never marry that devious woman. And he knew Myrene already had many husbands.
"You have to, Alpha Logan. Or should I call you my consort?"
Logan gritted his teeth. "No, I will never marry you!!!"
Logan felt that he would not degrade himself to this extent. He didn't deserve to be treated like this. He had already admitted defeat. But Logan regretted his words later. He had forgotten who Myrene was. The woman was known as the Evil Queen.
"Strip him naked, and kill everyone in the Nightshade pack!" Myrene's order made Logan's legs weak.
Logan turned around to find all of his people roughly restrained. His eyes widened. He didn't care about the two Lycan soldiers, bent his arms behind his back, forcing him to kneel.
"NOOOOO!!! Leave them!!! NO!" He immediately yelled out loudly as the Lycan soldiers swung their claws about to tear the herd apart. He struggled in a kneeling position.
Logan stared at Myrene with fury. But he knew he didn't have the strength to fight her soldiers.
"I will do anything! Please... please, release them!" Logan pleaded. He was humbled himself. He was defeated. He couldn't let his pack die because of him.
Myrene raised her hand, asking them to delay the execution. Then she looked at Logan. "Sure, you will do anything?"
Logan looked down. He didn't have any choice. "I, will, do anything." Logan's voice was full of pressure.
The werewolf behind him called out for him not to give up. "We'd rather die, Alpha Logan! Don't give up!"
Logan heard a girl's voice. He knew that girl well. She was always full of spirit and was Nightshade's Luna of hope. Of course, before this disaster happened.
Myrene smiled, licking her nails. She stared at how notoriously heartless Logan was and now listened intently to a girl. She was sure the girl was no ordinary girl.
Logan was startled and immediately turned his head when he heard the girl scream. His eyes widened to find her on the ground with a cut in her hand.
"Ivana!!!" shouted Logan. For the first time in his life, he had lost control. "NOOOOO!!!"
Logan immediately knelt to face Myrene when he saw a soldier about to tear the girl apart again. "Please kill me! Release her! Please!!"
Myrene chuckled at Logan's desperation. "As you wish, my love. But I will not kill my husband."
Myrene raised her hand again signaling them to stop. She grinned at the look of fear and hatred in the werewolf's eyes. She enjoyed their helplessness.
Then Myrene looked at Logan who was still kneeling before her. "Show me your loyalty. Strip naked and recite your vows."
Logan clenched his fists. He felt his face flush. The sound of his pack protesting made him even more helpless.
"I will count to three," Myrene said. The soldiers were on standby. Logan heard their claws scraping against each other.
What could he do? He hoped for a miracle. But he was the only miracle in his pack.
"One!" Myrene began counting.
Logan stood up. He looked up at Myrene. His gaze held an incredible amount of anger and hatred. However, he was taking off his clothes.
Logan's muscular body, tanned and toned, made Myrene lick her lips. The muscle was formed even on the man's thighs. When Logan was about to take off his underwear, the only cloth covering his body, Myrene forbade.
"Stop it. I don't want you to show that beauty to everyone," Myrene said with a smile full of contempt.
Logan pursed his lips, restraining himself. He immediately knelt with his hands clenched into his fists. He bowed his head like a slave to his master.
In Logan Duran's loyalty declaration, the werewolves nearly fell silent. "I, Logan Duran, Alpha of the Nightshade pack, declare defeat. I submit myself to your rule, Queen Myrene. I pledge loyalty to you and to your kingdom." Logan's loyalty declaration left the werewolves groaning in despair. Logan closed his eyes, feeling like a complete failure and useless.
Myrene smiled. "I accept your loyalty. You will be my consort and you will be addressed as Master Logan, the fourth consort."
Logan silently accepted his fate.
"Take him to his chamber!" Myrene continued.
The two soldiers at the ready behind Logan immediately pulled the Alpha to his feet. But Logan refused. He gave Myrene a sharp look.
"You have promised to release my people."
Myrene nodded. "Of course, I never break a promise."
"They'll be free?" Logan asked for confirmation.
Myrene smirked. "I never said I would set them free. But they will stay in my kingdom safely."
Logan widened his eyes. "You promised you would release them!"
"Yes. I will release them into my kingdom. Do you understand?"
"No! Release them!"
"They will be my people or I will have to kill them."
Logan prepared to curse Myrene, but he remembered that he would only make matters worse. He could only clench his fists in anger as he watched his flock being dragged away. He, meanwhile, was forced to walk through the corridor.
Myrene stared intently at Logan's every step until he disappeared from the room. Then she turned her gaze to the three men around her, who were currently looking down.
"Who wants to play with me tonight?"
The three of them fell silent, looking at each other, before one of the gray-eyed men with bright eyes lifted, displaying a sweet smile. "I will serve you tonight, Your Majesty."