What have I just seen?
It's happening to me for the first time; I would count it as an hallucination, but it felt so real. Everything felt so real, and the images still play in my head.
Could it be a vision?
Am I getting a glimpse of the future? Could it be related to the demon prince? Is this what will happen when the demon prince comes for Alaric?
"Lenora, are you okay?" As Alaric asked, his hands were firm on my arms, softly squeezing my skin. My breath steadied, and it was only then that I realized that I had been holding my breath for so long.
I lifted my eyes to meet the worried look on his face; he was staring at me with absolute terror in those blue eyes of his. His eyes seek for answers—answers that I was unsure if I had and answers that I also desperately need.
"Alaric." His name softly left my lips.
"Yes, Lenora." His answer was quick. His eyes were shallow, digging into my soul for answers.
"I need to tell you something," I said.
It's high time I told him about the demon prince, regardless of Jenny. He needs to know what happened during my kidnapping, and he needs to know it fast—fast before the demon prince shows up in this place, fast before it's too late to erase the cries of the people, the wails of the people screaming in fear, the wail of the child who was left alone on the floor, the screams of the scared wolves who were watching their loved ones die.
I need to tell him the truth now; he needs to do something about it; he's the strongest in the land, hence the demon prince has no hold on him, but I can't be certain. There's something else about the demon prince that makes me shiver at the thought of him. If he strikes before Alaric is prepared, then we could be doomed.
"What's that?"
"About my kidnapping," I replied, the tension in his brows releasing as his piercing eyes were filled with curiosity.
Back in Edessa, he asked. He asked what happened to me during the weeks I was gone, but I couldn't say anything to him other than being quiet.
I made myself believe that I'd tell him once the time was right, but it wasn't that. The memories of how it all began in that haunted castle gave me a permanent scar in my memory. I didn't want to relieve those memories.
I made myself believe that I wanted Jenny to confess herself, but that wasn't all; I was too scared to be the one to mention anything concerning that place, the haunted place that taunted me in my dreams every night.
Perhaps I've been a coward, running away and ignoring the truth. I can't hide behind my nightmares anymore; I need to face them and be free from them before it's too late. As the future queen, I should be courageous.
"After the car crash, I could remember being picked up by someone." I started.
"He didn't want to hurt me but rather sell me off; his target wasn't me but to get to you."
"Who's he?" Alaric asked. The tone of his voice changed; he was trying hard to conceal his anger.
"He called himself the demon prince, but his name is Anselm," I answered. The moment my lips spoke that name, Alaric's muscles tensed as he completely froze in shock, but I continued. After weeks of lying to myself, I have finally gathered up the courage to talk about Anselm, and nothing is going to stop me from saying everything out so we can look for a solution together.
"His target wasn't me, but his goal was to lure me away from you; he wanted you to be weak so he could strike you."
"Alaric, I can feel his presence already." "He's about to strike while you're unprepared, but if he comes then we'll all be doomed." I finished, my breath quickening as the thought of him suddenly made me short of breath.
I raised my teary eyes to meet Alaric frozen; there was no expression on his face, and the only way I knew he was listening to me was the way his aura changed.
Something about the way he reacted to the news about Anselm tells me that he knows who Anselm was. The anger he once felt vanished and was replaced with a confusing aura. Fear and regret
"Do you know him?" I asked. It was obvious Alaric would know him; he's a nemesis, but Alaric's reaction to the news was something I never expected. He's never scared of any of his nemeses; why is Anselm different?
"Is Jenny related to the incident?" He asked, saying something at last but avoiding my question.
"Are you familiar with Anselm?" I asked again, hoping to get answers from him, but rather than giving me answers, he repeated his question.
"Lenora, is Jenny related to this incident?" He asked again, letting go of his soft grip on my arms.
I was trapped, and I was unsure whether or not I should give him an answer. I might want Jenny dead and gone, but she's carrying an innocent child in her. If I tell him the truth, he wouldn't care about the child; he wouldn't care that the child belonged to Josh, but he would get rid of her in a blink of an eye.
"She planned it with Anselm, didn't she?" He asked. I remained silent.
"Lenora, Anselm isn't to be toyed with. If he's alive, then he wants nothing more than bloodshed," Alaric said, his voice loud with fear evident in it.
"I know," I replied, if Anselm could be that cruel to those female wolves in that haunted place, then he most likely wants nothing but blood on his hands.
"You know?" He asked. His eyes pierced into my skin.
"Yes"
"Did you see his face?" He asked.
"No," I replied. I couldn't see his face. He made sure to hide it from me. He was always in the dark whenever he spoke to me.
"Lenora, Anselm is supposed to be dead." "If he's alive, then he would want nothing more than to see me die and rule this world," Alaric said, panicking. There was something in his eyes. Something I have never seen in those blue eyes of his.
His iris narrowed, like a scared feline, as red veins grew in his eyes. He wasn't blinking, and he wasn't breathing either. He was terrified.
His words only intensified my curiosity. I need to know what kind of relationship he has with Anselm and why he is scared of him. I need to know why the fear in him was greater than the fear I sensed in him when he was with Adolph.
He's currently the strongest Lycan, so why would he be scared of Anselm? He has the blood of the Lycan king; he's the next Lycan king, so why would he be scared of Anselm?
"Who's Anselm?" I asked. I want to know why he poses such a threat. I want to know the relationship Alaric has with him. I want to know why Anselm would want to take Alaric's birth right. I want to know if I'm being too calm in my unstable state. Do I need to be even more scared knowing that Alaric is also terrified of the demon prince?
I thought if I told Alaric about the demon prince, he'd be prepared and wouldn't be surprised when Anselm showed up. I thought Anselm was nothing to be scared of as long as Alaric was with me, but now I'm terrified.
"Anselm," he said, his voice heavy on his lips as he finally inhaled a sharp breath.
"A person who was nothing but kind yet was wrongfully prosecuted."
"Someone who died but is now alive."
"Someone who will do anything to get revenge."
"Someone with indescribable and prominent powers."
"Someone whose targets would be Adolph and then me." He finished, and his words only brought even more confusion to me, as I had never imagined someone greater than Alaric. I never imagined that Alaric would describe someone else as having indescribable and prominent powers. If Alaric's powers don't meet the description of "prominent," then what I saw earlier might come to pass.
No. It can't be. I don't want to think about those visions coming true. It just can't be.
"If Anselm made a deal with Jenny, then she's as good as dead. Her soul is gone, and she's nothing but an empty can." He added.
"Who the fuck is he?" I asked, terrified, with my eyes widening in awe and my lips apart, struggling.
My lungs have suddenly forgotten how to breathe. I need to take deep breaths or else I'll collapse on the floor.
"Lenora, Anselm is…"
"Your highness, the king is dead!" Josh said, barging into the room.
#chapter Book 2: Chapter 43
Alaric's Pov
"His name is Anselm," she said.
"Do you know him?" She asked, her eyes piercing into my skin as her face held confusion. Her eyes held worries, and her mind was clouded with numerous questions, but how can I not know him?
His name, his name... his name can never be forgotten, not even in my grave. How could I ever forget someone who has been haunting me in my dreams for so long?
How could I ever forget the last memory of seeing his face before he died, or so I thought? How could I ever forget the way he hopelessly looked at me before I killed him? I killed him with my own hands without daring to quiver, and his last words have haunted me ever since.
"Ricky, how could you?" Those were his last words. Those words instantly sent chills down my spine. Those words are now replaying over and over in my head. I remember exactly how he sounded, and I remember how long his last exhale took. I remember the look of betrayal he gave me before passing out. before his lips turned blue and his feet turned cold.
How can I ever forget killing my own twin brother?
He's back now; he was never dead; rather, he stayed in hiding for so long, knowing every single detail of my life and waiting for the perfect time to attack me. perfect time to exact revenge.
I can't let him near this place, and anything that has to do with him in this place needs to be gone, far away. Without raising a hand, he's able to control the minds of people. His prominent powers were the reason I killed him.
He was the only son who had a great share of my mother's power and also a mighty share of my father's power. One would think he would be Adolph's favourite son, but it was rather the opposite.
He was the most hated son. Adolph considered him an atrocity for having some witch powers; he hated him even though Anselm was nothing but nice. He was kind-hearted; he was considerate; and he sympathized with the weak a lot, but Adolph didn't want a son like that. He wanted a brutal son; he wanted a son who would take over his harsh legacy and kill the weak while sparing the powerful.
He might have said the reason he kidnapped Lenora was to make me weaker, but that was a lie. The only reason he kidnapped Lenora was for me to know that he's alive and he's coming for me. He doesn't need to make me weak before striking; his powers are unmeasurable.
If Jenny is working with him, then she needs to be eliminated at once before he controls her mind.
"Lenora, Anselm isn't to be toyed with. If he's alive, then he wants nothing more than bloodshed."
"I know," she replied. Her response took me off guard for some seconds there, as I assumed she must have seen Anselm; if she had, she wouldn't be confused because she would have instantly known he was my twin or might even mistake him for me. But at the same time, that wouldn't be possible. He would hide everything about him that is related to me, including his face, which we both share.
"Who's Anselm?" She asked, and it was only then that I realized I hadn't given her an answer to the question that has been lingering in her mind all this time. She deserves to know the truth about what we're up to, but the hardest part of telling her who Anselm was was telling her who Anselm was.
All the words that I've ever learned seemed to have been hidden in an empty space in my head as I searched for words to describe him. words to let her know how strong he is and how we're almost close to being doomed.
I can't fight against Anselm; the only thing I can do is reconcile with him. Years back, when I thought I killed him, it was only possible because Adolph was there pinning him to the floor, but still, he didn't die. Adolph used to be strong, but not anymore.
He's now old and weak; we both don't stand a chance against Anselm... We never did. Adolph will be his first target, and only then will he come for me.
All I need to do is find forgiveness in his heart, because I don't think I can bring myself to start a war with my twin brother. I regretted doing it once, and I can't do it again.
For the sake of Lenora and our child, I need him to forgive me.
Just as I was about to let Lenora know who Anselm truly is and tell her about the relationship between Anselm and me, I suddenly heard a heavy panting and heavy footstep fast approaching my door as the door suddenly barged open, revealing the troubled face of Josh.
"Your highness, the king is dead," he claimed. His eyes held horror, his aura held fear, and his body trembled.
Anselm.
Josh is baffled. Lenora is terrified. I'm bewildered. The Lycan king is known as an immortal creature. They live for centuries and die peacefully in their sleep after hundreds of years. No Lycan king has ever been killed or poisoned. To the common people, it's mysterious. It's strange. It's a bad omen. But to me, it's a warning that Anselm is ready to avenge. He's ready for me.
"Lenora," I said, my breath quickening in fear. chills running through my spine as beads of sweat trickled down my forehead.
"Alaric, what's going on?" She asked, her hands holding her belly and her fingers clenching tight on the fabric of her gown.
"You need to leave right now," I said, gently grabbing her by her waist as I instantly led her outside the room. There's not a single thought of a safe place for Lenora in my head. If Anselm wants her, then nothing will stop him from getting her. I just need her to be away for now—away from this place and away from me for the time being.
"No, I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on and who the hell Anselm is," she protested. She broke free from my grip on her waist as she lifted her eyes to meet mine. Her brown, fiery eyes clashed with my green, troubled eyes.
Josh was still standing still like a statue in the room, and the only difference between him and a stone was the fact that his aura held nothing but fear with a tinge of guilt that I could sense. He must have known that it was Anselm's doing. It can't be anyone else.
"Josh, leave," I ordered. He immediately obeyed.
"Who the hell is Anselm, and why is he so powerful? Why is he coming after us?"
"Anselm is my fucking twin brother," I said, my voice coming out louder than I intended.
"That's not possible," she whispered, and suddenly it seemed like all the words I had been saying suddenly made sense to her.
"I need to get you far away from this pack house, Lenora," I said in desperation. I need to try my best to leave her out of this mess. It was all my fault that she was kidnapped in the first place. She has suffered enough, and I can't afford to let a tear roll down her cheeks. I can't let her go through another pain because of me; she doesn't need a world with chaos and crises every now and then.
"I'm not leaving you, Alaric." She declined.
"Please, Lenora, for the sake of our child, listen to me this once." I begged. Most times I admire her stubbornness, but this time, I need her to listen to me, even if it's just this one time.
"You just said he's the mightiest, so what makes you think he won't find me wherever I go?"
"But we can try, rather than have you here in the first place he'll reach."
"No, Alaric, I won't be leaving you. I've been away from you for so long, and I can't stay away any longer."
"I'm sorry, but if Anselm will come for us, I won't let him take away my happiness, regardless of him being your flesh and blood," she added.
I searched for the sarcasm in her face, but found none. My eyes scanned through her face, waiting for her to burst out in laughter and say she was kidding, but nothing happened; rather, her face was as fierce as it could be. She can't be serious, can she?
"Lenora, you can't be serious."
"I've never been more serious in my entire life, Alaric," she said, her hands balling into a fist by her side.
"Ever since I was little, I've never shared a happy moment with someone to call my family. I thought the war was over the moment my mother and Tala were put behind those rotten iron bars in the dungeon. I thought I was finally going to be happy. I thought I'd finally had the family I'd always dreamed of having." She paused, taking a deep breath.
"How can someone think of taking that family away from me? How can you tell me to hide while watching you struggle for your life? How dare you ever think I wouldn't do everything I can to save you?" She asked, and her fierce voice cracked as her eyes betrayed her. Warm tears streamed down her face, and my heart shattered into thousands of pieces. Fuck, losing a limb wouldn't be as painful as watching her beautiful face soak up her salty tears.
"Please don't cry," I begged, pulling her into my arms and burying her head on my chest as I caressed her hair.
I shouldn't have said all I said to her; I shouldn't have injected fear in her veins. I should have been stronger for her, even if I was weak inside. I shouldn't have let her see the fear in me—the fear I have for Anselm. I should have been stronger. I should have been her shield. I should have been stronger.
I will be stronger for her; I won't be scared of Anselm anymore. No matter the cost, I'll do everything I can to make sure she gets the happy family she has always wanted. Anselm won't be a threat. Anselm won't be intimidating. Alaric will be Lenora's guardian. Alaric will provide the peace Lenora needs.
"If he's your twin, then why does he want you dead?" She asked, her head still buried in my chest. The warm liquid that was once soaking my shirt has dried.
"I killed him," I answered. Every muscle in my body instantly became tensed the moment those words left my lips, but this time, my body didn't tremble like it used to. The warmth from Lenora's body seemed to have prevented my body from trembling.
"Why?" She asked. It was hard to relieve those moments once again, but with Lenora so close to me, I don't seem to be losing my mind.
"Adolph didn't like him. He hated him because he sympathized with the weak, so he made me kill him for my own life"
"If I hadn't killed him, then Adolph would have killed us both, because then I'd also be sympathizing with the weak," I added. Her little arms sneaked around my waist as she softly caressed the flesh of my skin.
"It's not your fault," she said.
"It is," I replied. If it hadn't been my fault, then I wouldn't have always been traumatized by the memory.
"How?"
"He begged me. He suggested we both flee and hide from Adolph until we were old enough to compete with him. He escaped and realized I didn't come with him, so he came back to bring me along with him…" My words became frozen. It was hard to continue.
"He could have left; he could have been free if he didn't come back for me. He loved me and came back for me, but I betrayed him. Not only did I betray his trust, but I killed him." I managed to finish my words as my heart ached.
"He was still willing to escape with me even though Adolph was there, but I did nothing but watch as Adolph pinned him to the ground and ordered me to kill him."
"If only I hadn't been too scared, if only I hadn't been a coward, then none of this would be happening," I added. I had been pouring out my past trauma, and I didn't realize that I had also been pouring out some tears, which Lenora had been wiping with her soft hands.
"You were young and scared; you did nothing wrong," she reassured me. Never in my life did I think my past would return to haunt me in the present, and never did I think I would be as affected by it. I don't want to harm him anymore; I just want to reconcile and have him forgive me.
"Where are you going?" I asked as Lenora slipped from my grip.
"To Jenny, we might as well start by getting rid of her if we want to get rid of everything that has to do with Anselm in this place," she answered. She has changed; something about the times she spent away and alone has changed her. I can sense a different aura within her now that she's no longer that naive girl who was too afraid to accept rejection. An aura of a leader. It's not the same aura as that of an alpha or a Lycan king, but that of a god.