Two years later, the winter season
The Crimson Sky Pack.
Year 106 — Winter festival —.
Azazeal, High King of the Wolves, stood quietly next to the framed glass windows of his office.
Piles of agreements and letters to the king lay on the huge crystal table in the middle of the room, but the man in question stood idly.
His attention was fixated on something else
His eyes narrowed as he watched the petite woman in the snow-filled garden.
The tinkling sound of her giggle echoed beautifully in the cold winter air.
But the frown on Azazel's face deepened further when he saw the cause of her never-ending laughter.
For two years now, since the day he had foolishly lost his temper in front of his wife, Elora had done more than he'd feared.
She doesn't come out of her chambers except when necessary; she kept to herself, and he knew nothing about her or how she lived her life within the palace.
She had also abandoned the activities Cateel had told him she enjoyed while he was away,
And when she finally comes out on rare occasions, she would say no more than a word in greeting to Azazeal.
He would often watch her from afar, and when they sat next to each other, every one of their conversations was few and one-sided. Every encounter was cut short by her indifferent gaze, her head was constantly bowed, her long black hair shielding her entrapping crystal-blue eyes away from his gaze.
Her eyes would always be lowered and her whole body would be rigid and closed off until the events were over.
He had looked for chances to apologize for scaring her that morning two years ago, most of what he had threatened was only said in a fit of anger, but each time he tried to discuss or talk to her, she feigned sickness and retreated to her chambers.
But here she was, seated in the garden with Kael, his younger brother laughing and playing like there was no tomorrow.
Her animated expressions, and childlike gestures as she spoke to Kael made Azazeal see a side of her that is totally different from the ice block wife he has been living with for the past two years
A swirl of yearning and longing tightened in his chest. A smile from her was an unusual sight, even less common when he was around.
The same wife who never leaves her chambers except when there is an important Pack event,
Azazeal only gets to see her again when the very Kael is visiting the castle,
Whenever Kael visits, Azazeal is finally able to see the carefree spirit behind her normally withdrawn self with his younger brother, she becomes someone entirely different.
Her shyness immediately disappears, replaced by childlike wonder and ease. Azazeal's hands clenched behind his back at the sight of the dimples that perked on her rosy cheeks with every word slipping free from her mouth.
He couldn't help but hate how easily she smiled at Kael, pure jealousy rolled off him in waves, and his eyes darkened further when Kael looked up to find him sneaking a look at them from above.
The scoundrel had the guts to wink at him with a gloating laugh, while Elora remained unaware as she showed off the plum blossoms that were blooming.
Azazeal gritted his teeth in annoyance. He would've sent the arrogant pup out of his castle this night, but this was the only way he could see his Mate, and check on her without forcing his presence on her.
His eyes went back to the beautiful woman, she was busy digging a potted flower with her bare hands, her eyes were thrown back as she laughed, and drops of snow clung to her dark hair like white crystals.
For the briefest instant, his mask of stoicism slipped, his eyes grew unfocused with tenderness as he watched her.
It had almost driven his wolf crazy not to see her for weeks, so he improvised and sent for Kael to visit more since he is the only person who can convince her to come out to enjoy herself and escape the stuffy castle.
His heart warmed at the sight of her happiness
Casteel's voice cut through the quiet air. "Your Majesty, the council meeting will soon begin, the pack leaders are awaiting."
Azazeal didn't reply right away.
And when he looked back, the High King of the Pack was back in his usual unreadable demeanor, his black robes trailing behind him as he walked towards the meeting hall.
Azazeal sat amongst the council and paid no attention to their words until one minister mentioned that the Winter festival was coming on the calendar.
"As it is, this would be Queen Elora's first winter celebration with us, could we suggest holding it at the Ardennes castle in the capital. Its snowy peaks are second to none for the fest."
The name Elora cut through his boredom instantly, and his interest was immediately piqued.
He remembered one evening, when he had been secretly watching her discuss with Kael, he had learnt some of her interests and what she loves, she especially emphasized her love for snowy peaks.
And although it snows here in the crimson sky, much to her great satisfaction and delight.
But it was nothing in comparison to the magical winter wonder he knew she would experience and enjoy at Ardennes.
Ardennes is the Capital state of the Crimson Sky pack, if the castle here was huge and jaw-dropping, it's still very small compared to Ardennes. With its enchanted cliffs, twinkling frost, and gleaming snow forests, Ardennes would be a beautiful escape for his little mate, and maybe this would be a way to impress her as they prepared for the festival.
At this discovery, his eyes subtly light up in a well-hidden excitement at the thought of spending time with her over there.
Azazeal nodded, his voice steady but firm. "Prepare the castle. The festival is set to be held in the Ardennes. Send out the invitations."
—
The Royal dinner tonight was a lavish affair, the king had an announcement to make and Elora sat next to him enjoying the delicious food that was being placed in front.
Normally, such occasions annoyed her, and she would count the seconds to retreat to her chambers because sitting in the grand hall reminded her of that fateful breakfast two years ago, but today, one of her favorite people was sitting on her left side.
And she fought back rounds of laughter as he mocked the council's dressings and whispered how boring the older pack ministers looked with their overly wide smiles.
"What on earth is that horrid red robe he's wearing, the red hat on his bald head is so agitating to stare at, it's making my blood boil. He looks like a blind bald crab!" he whispered cheekily and the soup she drank almost went down the wrong pipe, she immediately held her palm to her lips as she turned to the smirking man.
He wiggled his brows, imitating the poor old man and Elora bit her lip to force the laughter down her throat, she didn't have the nerve to start explaining what was funny to the people.
She sent Karl a glare warning him to stop, but his green eyes only twinkled with feigned innocence and well-hidden mischief.
Her gaze moved to the goblet of dark red wine next to her plate.
She picked it up and took a dainty sip of the wine in front of her., The flavor rolled across her tongue with a bitter and acrid taste. A slow burn crawled down her throat and sat there long after she swallowed.
She coughed, shoving the feeling aside.
Azazeal who was watching her from the side immediately picked up on her reaction and he wondered if she found the sweet wine unpleasant, he had especially ordered them because he knew of his wife's sweet tooth
Elora raised the goblet once more, steadying her hands, and took another sip, wincing at the nausea that curled in her belly.
Her heart lurched violently
A new wave of nausea washed over her, hot and unbearable. Her eyes blurred, the room swiveling crazily.
Azazeal drew his chair closer to hers as he got a look at her pale face.
His brow immediately furrowed in concern.
" Are you alright?" he asked quietly, his voice gentle
Elora hardly got out a shuddering breath before her body betrayed her.
A sudden, stabbing pain radiated from her belly, up her throat in a burning wave she couldn't hold back. Before she could suppress it, what was in her stomach erupted —
Her blood came out in a thick black and red color, soaking the pure white of his robes.