Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 10

Adelaide

A roar that seemed to tear the very fabric of reality shattered the hall's chaos. The massive stone doors exploded inward, and through the dust and debris burst the most magnificent and terrifying creature I had ever beheld.

The Wolf King stood three times the size of any ordinary werewolf, his silver-white fur catching the moonlight like spun starlight. Those crimson eyes—the same eyes that had looked into mine with such desperate recognition—now burned with primal fury as they swept across the scene before him. His massive form moved with impossible speed and grace, powerful muscles rippling beneath that ethereal coat as he charged directly toward where Garrick still held me.

The hall erupted into pandemonium. Wolves who had been jeering and laughing moments before now threw themselves to the ground, exposing their necks in desperate submission. The acrid scent of fear-pheromones flooded the air, so thick I could taste it on my tongue. Some of the younger wolves actually whimpered, cowering against the walls as waves of the King's overwhelming presence washed over them.

But I felt no fear. As those burning crimson eyes locked onto mine, something deep within my chest sang in recognition. This massive, terrible beast had come for me—had broken free from whatever prison held him because he heard my silent call. The thought should have terrified me, but instead, I felt an inexplicable sense of safety as his enormous form positioned itself between me and Garrick like a living fortress.

From the elevated platforms, I could see Draven and Vespera maintaining their composure, though their eyes blazed with alertness. "This shouldn't be possible," Vespera murmured, his usually calm voice tight with concern. "The Iron Maw's restraints were crafted by the most powerful mages. No one has ever broken them."

Draven's expression was grim as he studied the beast's protective stance over the human slaves. "The full moon strengthens him, but this..." He shook his head slowly. "He has a clear purpose. In three centuries, I've never seen him show this kind of protective instinct toward any human."

His gaze lingered on Thalia, still bleeding from Garrick's blow, and I could see him trying to piece together what had triggered this unprecedented response.

Garrick had released me when the King burst in, but now he straightened to his full height, his chest puffing out as he deliberately released challenging pheromones into the air. The scent was sharp and aggressive, a direct insult to the King's dominance.

"Even a beast should know its place," Garrick's voice cut through the terrified silence, cold and mocking. "Three hundred years of imprisonment should have taught you that you're no longer fit to rule."

The Wolf King's head swiveled toward him with predatory grace, and the growl that rumbled from his throat made the stone floor vibrate beneath our feet. Every hair on his massive form stood on end, and I could see the muscles in his shoulders bunching as he prepared to eliminate the threat.

Garrick's answering smile was sharp with malicious glee. "Yes, show them all what you really are—a rabid animal that needs to be put down."

Before anyone could react, Garrick's body began the sickening transformation I'd heard about but never witnessed. The sounds of breaking bones and tearing flesh filled the hall as his human form twisted and expanded. Dark red fur erupted from his splitting skin, and his face elongated into a snarling muzzle filled with gleaming fangs. Within moments, a blood-colored wolf stood where Garrick had been, his eyes glowing with crimson malice. The blood-colored wolf was larger than any I had seen, yet still dwarfed by the King's immense form.

The two massive predators circled each other for a heartbeat before exploding into violent motion. Their collision sent shockwaves through the hall, causing several stones to crack from the impact. Garrick was savage and cunning, his attacks fueled by centuries of resentment and ambition. But every strike from the Wolf King carried the weight of absolute authority and primal power.

The battle was brutal but brief. Despite Garrick's ferocity, the King's overwhelming strength quickly became apparent. Within minutes, Garrick found himself slammed against a stone pillar, blood streaming from multiple wounds as the King's massive jaws closed around his throat. The challenge was over—the King had proven his dominance beyond question.

"Enough!" Draven's voice boomed across the hall. "This is not the time for settling personal grudges!"

He exchanged a meaningful look with Vespera, and both commanders moved into action. While Draven began organizing the evacuation of injured slaves and panicked wolves to the hall's edges, Vespera produced an ancient crystal orb from within his robes. The artifact pulsed with blue light as he began chanting in the old tongue.

The Wolf King sensed the magical buildup immediately, releasing Garrick to face this new threat. But it was too late—brilliant blue light erupted from the orb, spinning into threads that wrapped around the massive wolf like ethereal chains. The King struggled against the binding magic, his roars of frustration echoing through the hall, but the ancient spell was too powerful. Gradually, the crimson light faded from his eyes, and his struggles weakened until he collapsed to the stone floor.

"Carefully," Vespera instructed the guards who approached the unconscious form. "Take him back to the Iron Maw. I'll reinforce the restraints personally this time."

As they worked to move the King's massive form, Draven approached where Thalia lay. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he lifted her into his arms, her pale face stark against his dark clothing. "She needs immediate medical attention," he said, his voice carrying an undertone I couldn't quite identify. "I'll take her to Moonclaw Citadel—my healers will see to her injuries."

He gave me a slight nod. "You may return to your quarters." Relief washed over me, and clutching the rough fabric of my tunic, I turned and hurried away from the hall of horrors, my only thought to get back to the relative safety of my room.

As we departed, I glanced back at Garrick, who was being helped to his feet by his subordinates. "This isn't over," he snarled, the promise in his voice was unmistakable.

I couldn't shake the image of Garrick's twisted smile when I returned to my room. Whatever plans were forming in his mind, I knew they boded ill for everyone involved.

The Wolf King had answered my call tonight, had come to protect me from harm. But in doing so, he had also revealed something that would change everything—there was a connection between us that went deeper than anyone had suspected. And if Garrick had noticed it too, then our troubles were only just beginning.