Chapter 2 Caelum

• My last night as a free and single man. The thought that by this time tomorrow, I will be married makes me feel nauseous. I walk through the streets of my country, unsure of how to spend my final day of freedom. I know that the marriage will be the kingdom's salvation—at least, I hope it will be.
• My thoughts are scattered as I enter the bar, knowing that the simple clothes I am wearing will help me blend in with the commoners. After all, the news of my wedding is being broadcast everywhere, despite my being a reclusive king who tries to avoid the spotlight. With these humble clothes and a camouflage spell, I expect a quiet night ahead.
• Until I see her and catch her scent. My lycan side becomes euphoric at the smell of the human—something that has never happened before. Her scent is overwhelming, devastating, and yet exotic. I am drawn to her as if she were the sun, and I had no choice but to orbit in her direction.
• When I sit down next to her, the young woman does not react or even notice my presence. I know I used a spell, but not one strong enough to completely erase my presence.
• I clear my throat, yet the young woman still shows no reaction. I then notice her weary expression and the empty mugs around her. Did someone stand her up? Who would dare do that to her? Her light brown hair is tied up in a messy bun, her olive skin bearing a sun-kissed glow that fascinates me. She has a peculiar birthmark on her neck—a crescent moon-shaped spot.
• "Are you alone?" I ask, intrigued, and that is when she finally acknowledges me.
• Despite her breath being heavy with the smell of alcohol, the young woman maintains her grace and humor as she responds, piquing my curiosity even more.
• I can tell she is seeking a distraction, perhaps revenge for being stood up, and I am looking for a farewell to my single life. I suppose fate brought us together tonight. I pay for the drinks, and hearing her laughter only deepens my desire to have her.
• I hope my future wife has the same sense of humor as this human and is just as attractive.
• "There are still a few hours until dawn. Do you want to come to my place?" the young woman asks with a mischievous smile. I can sense her pheromones intensifying.
• I do not refuse the invitation and follow her stumbling steps to her home. A modest place, as expected from a human commoner. I wish she were royalty; perhaps then I could consider marrying her.
• As soon as we reach her room, I do not waste a second. The urge to possess her, to indulge in her body, overwhelms me. She is voluptuous, with perfect places to squeeze and kiss, her full breasts and wide hips that I grasp firmly as I lift her. I kiss her neck, right where the birthmark is, and feel her entire body shiver. Despite the high level of alcohol in her blood, the young woman remains fully aware of everything we do. I lay her down on the bed and swiftly remove her clothes, taking in every curve of her body and even memorizing the navy blue lingerie she is wearing.
• Her light brown eyes hold so many emotions and desires that I could easily get lost in them. Her full lips are soft, and I bite them with lust, feeling myself grow harder with each passing second. I feast on her, making her climax in my mouth and on my member. Finally, I reach my own climax inside her, savoring the peak of pleasure.
• "Greek god, can you make me forget him?" the young woman asks, drowsy and drunk after we finish. I chuckle and pull her into my arms.
• "I only accept possible challenges, princess," I whisper in her ear before she drifts off to sleep.
• I do not fall asleep right away. My mind wanders through her room, absorbing the characteristics and story of this mysterious young woman. I do not know her name, and I prefer to keep it that way—a night of pleasure is enough for me.
• I allow her to sleep in my arms, tracing my fingers along her bare skin, especially the birthmark that intrigued me so much. She sleeps deeply, even letting out a soft snore. As the first light of dawn begins to break, I get up and put on my clothes.
• Not wanting to leave like a thief, I write a note and leave it on the nightstand beside the bed. I take one last look at her sleeping form, satisfied with how I spent my last night of freedom.
• “I thought you would have run away! Where have you been, Caelum?” my mother, Isolde, asks with impatience in her voice. “What are those clothes?”
• I let out a humorous laugh and kissed my mother's forehead. Her concern for this wedding to go smoothly makes me feel an uncontrollable urge to laugh.
• “I would never waste all the food we have arranged for this wedding by running away, Mother,” I reply as I walk through the palace hallways.
• All the staff are bustling about, preparing the decorations for the wedding. Isolde walks beside me with her small frame and worried face. For a woman in her fifties, my mother possesses a lot of energy to manage everything and everyone, including me.
• “Do not make jokes, Caelum! Today is a very important day! You are already thirty years old; we need to secure your power and produce heirs as soon as possible,” Isolde responds with a reprimand. I enter my room, and my mother follows right behind me.
• “Do not tell me! I know that; I am the groom. Besides, you have not let me forget about it for the past few months,” I retort, already feeling impatient. “I am here, am I not? Ready! I will be at the altar, do not worry. You will see if my bride, Sabrina…”
• “Seraphina!” Mother corrects me, and I wink.
• “I will remember her name until the end of my life. Anyway, see if she needs anything, okay? I will get ready for my other duties as king!”
• Before my mother could debate further, I quickly and gently ushered her out of my room. I repeat the name Seraphina a few times as I remove my peasant clothing. I have never even met Seraphina, a twenty-three-year-old enchatrix princess from the kingdom of Syltirion. A kingdom that has a great source of magic and precious minerals, something my kingdom Veridiana needs.
• The ceremony takes place in the late afternoon in the palace garden, with the sunset behind us. I am surprised by Seraphina’s beauty when she walks down the aisle to the altar, wearing a light blue dress filled with layers that hug her slender body. Her fiery hair flows freely, adorned with a lovely thin silver crown with chains of white pearls. Her pale face contrasts with her golden eyes that seem like gold, along with her striking makeup and vivid hair. Her beauty is impressive, or perhaps I was just expecting the worst.
• I feel her hormones; there is anxiety and a racing heart. I do not blame her; marrying someone you have never seen was not in my plans either. But it was my duty, and I would do my best to make it work.
• “And now, the first dance of the newlyweds!” the officiant declares, followed by a round of applause.
• I stand up and extend my hand to my new wife. Seraphina’s cheeks flush, and I find that slightly charming. She accepts, and we both move toward the dance floor.
• “I apologize if I have two left feet,” Seraphina whispers nervously in my direction, and I smile warmly.
• “Do not worry; I have two right feet!” I reply playfully.
• As I dance with my wife, my mind instinctively brings back the face of the young woman I slept with the previous night. As an instinctive reaction, my eyes search the crowd of guests for the human, even knowing that she could never be on the guest list.
• My gaze settles on Seraphina's neck as if I want to ensure she is not the same woman I slept with hours ago. I shake my head, trying to push away this carnal desire that seeks to dominate me.
• “I hope you can feel at home here in the kingdom of Veridiana, Seraphina,” I comment modestly, and Seraphina gives me a fervent look, her golden eyes sparkling in my direction with expectations.
• “And I hope that my company pleases you, Your Majesty. May I bear your beautiful and strong children!” she responds cordially as if she had rehearsed that many, many times.