The Alpha King's Claim

Chapter 43

The Alpha King’s Claim chapter 43 by desirenovel

The Baltic Meadows.

I imagined it to be like those places on Earth where the grass stretched as far as the eyes could see, its

flora a variety of colors, clear blue skies, and fresh air. When we arrived, I found that it was exactly

what I imagined it to be and more. So much more.

Instead of plain green grass, the meadow here had a metallic attribute. When my heeled shoes

touched the ground, it emitted a shimmering rainbow color, spreading around me and gradually fading.

For a moment, I really thought I was in dreamland until I touched the grass and found it was real and as

solid as my body.

The air was clean and slightly cold despite the glaring sun—the sun that actually had light blue halos

around it. This was a key reminder I wasn’t on Earth anymore.

Facing north, I could only see hills upon hills of meadows. Turning west, the meadow broke and

revealed snowy mountains. In the south, it exhibited rocky terrain, a little greenery, and a narrow road

that we just traversed.

Looking at the east, the meadow disappeared into a thick forest; a variety of trees could be seen that

closely resembled pine, mahogany, and sycamore on Earth. Some trees jutted out from the border of

the forest shading a clearing. This was where our lunch was conveniently set-up.

“I hope you enjoy your meal with this view, ladies,” Prince Elijah informed, a proud grin appearing on

his lips.

Rhea and I smiled.

He offered an elbow to her and she held it without hesitation. They threaded through the meadow with

me behind them this time. I was left on my own, out of place, and yeah, lonely, but I didn’t mind at all.

I was cool with it. This way I got to admire the place all the more.

“Is this area still part of Phanteon too?” I asked once we arrived in the shaded area. Here, the air was

cooler and the view was even better, boasting a different angle of the meadows and the mountains.

Prince Elijah, as expected of him, executed a gentlemanly gesture. He pulled Rhea’s chair first and

allowed her to sit on it before looking at me.

“Yes,” he said in a heartbeat, but then, he paused and considered something. “Well, sort of,” he

continued. “This is a border actually between Phanteon and Ehnrelil, Queen Serena.”

“Ehnrelil?” My forehead creased.

“The realm of the faes. That is why the meadow here has a magical quality to it.”

Wow. Inside, my heart was jumping. Faes…fairies…they are real!

“So I take it we could easily cross to that realm if we want to?” I rushed to say whilst sitting on my seat.

I genuinely wanted to know not only because I was an avid fan of Fantasy, but because it concerned

me and my pending return to Earth.

Prince Elijah somehow chuckled at my question.

“Ah no, it doesn’t work like that, Queen Serena.”

He rounded the table and pulled back his own chair on Rhea’s left.

“Aside from a few individuals who had the ability to realm hop, like my brother as you may know now,

we have guardians for the job. With their permission, they could open a portal to let you in and out of

the realms.”

“Like Farryl and Kerus?” I asked abruptly.

Sitting down and facing me, he appeared surprised all of a sudden.

“Where did you learn those names?” he asked; his shoulders stiffening.

I remembered my time in the vampire realm and answered him without hesitation, “I happen to

overhear them in a conversation when I was in Lord Hale’s residence.”

He relaxed and leaned back against his chair.

“Kerus is the guardian of the vampire realm, the Kingdom of Viacronis. He is a reasonable man, but my

brother and I tend to be wary of him.”

The servants started coming with hot plates of food of different kinds and cold bubbling drinks in a

slender glass. Prince Elijah didn’t mind the nuisance and just continued.

“Farryl is the guardian of the werewolf realm—our realm. Since my brother hated women, she avoids

him and in effect, dislikes him too. She doesn’t really help much in the kingdom except on a few trades

with the other realms.”

“Could I meet this Farryl one day?” I asked in a heartbeat.

Prince Elijah leaned in and narrowed his eyes at me.

“To tell you honestly, I actually expected she had already introduced herself to you considering the

mysterious circumstances of your appearance in our realm. She actually didn’t?”

“No,” I hurried to say, and then blinked, wondering the question myself too. “Well, none that I’m aware

of.”

“That’s rather unheard of,” he said, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe my words. “Anyway, if you

wish to meet her, I’ll try and contact her. I’m sure she will oblige. You are the Queen of Phanteon after

all.”

I just shrugged my shoulders. “I will wait until then.”

After our serious talk, we started eating. Prince Elijah was thoughtful enough to explain most of the

dishes that were laid on the table. Apparently, some of them were specialties in the realm and some

were sourced outside Phanteon. All were good to eat just like the ones I tasted back in my wedding.

Once our meal was over, we decided to admire the view again.

“Go ahead, I don’t mind being left here,” I stated when I overheard Prince Elijah invite Rhea for a short

walk. “You two enjoy your time together.”

“We won’t be far, Serena,” Rhea stated, nodding at me.

I flashed a smile.

“I know.”

Since I had extra time, I took the liberty of touring the other side of the meadow on my own. This side

was mostly covered by trees; huge ones with its leaves turning to roofs.

Sunlight still touched the forest floor; however, it looked as though most of the light came from a certain

area.

I narrowed my eyes at that said area behind thick trunks and protruding roots. The way it was hidden

from view got me increasingly curious.

Slowly, I neared the glow, touching the trunks and branches for support while my other hand held the

hem of my gown.

To my astonishment, what welcomed me behind the trunks was a beauty far from anything I had seen

on Earth. It was a lake and it was glowing gold. Around it was icy blue flowers that looked like

diamonds and hovering near these flowers were winged bugs unusual to me. It wasn’t the same bug I

saw last time, but it sure was glittering too with rainbow colors.

The water was crystal clear and it was so placid I thought it was just a mirror. Sunlight still passed

through the roof of leaves, but the light was almost overlapped by how bright the golden lake was.

I was mesmerized by what I saw.

“Oh yes, I could stare at this lake all day,” I murmured to myself, sighing, and yes, I would have done

so if not for a sudden headache shooting from my nape up to my temporal.

“Oww…” I groaned, falling to my knees and pressing my palm against my forehead.

The pain was the same as last time. It was just unbearable.

Grimacing, another bright white light appeared from behind my eyes. Just what this meant to me, I

wished I knew. I hope it wasn’t a prerequisite to an illness I might have gotten from my realm hopping…

Concerned that I’d end up unconscious in the forest, I decided to pull myself together and return to the

lunch area. Surely, Prince Elijah and Rhea would be able to help me with my pitiful state.

I walked and walked, groaning and gagging at the same time; trying to battle the intense pain I was

feeling; trying to clear the pulsating bright light in my mind, but as I dragged myself along the forest

floor, I realized I had taken a wrong turn.

The path I took now was nowhere near the same as the one I threaded earlier. Anxiety and fear

erupted inside me in an instant. I was completely lost and in pain, literally.

Then, the sound of dry leaves crackling captured my attention. It was followed by a thud and a scraping

of metal. Common sense told me it came from a person, so since I was desperate to seek help, I

dragged myself to the source of the sound. It was just behind a group of shrubbery and trees.

“Oh my G—” I gasped, quickly covering my mouth with both of my hands when I saw a frightening

scene before me. Concerned with my safety, I dropped to the ground too and hid behind the bushes,

trying to keep my sorry ass from getting detected.

Anxiety and desperation managed to disappear inside me but it was unfortunately replaced by fear and

panic.

In this realm…in this magical forest, never had I imagined I would witness a murder.

Yes, murder, and yes, I wasn’t kidding.

Through the bushes, I watched in horror as three women—with dirty clothes and bloody faces—lay

lifeless on the ground. A cloaked person was standing on top one of the three women, holding a sword

that was embellished with red stones. It was dripping with blood and so was the cloaked person’s right

hand—a hand that I couldn’t delineate whether feminine or masculine.

The left hand however gave me an added fright. It was on fire, but it didn’t seem to hurt the cloaked

person. It didn’t look like it burned its skin. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I remained as still as possible but God knew how much my hands shook.

“I got to get out of here,” I murmured, half grimacing with still the presence of my headache.

Out of fear from getting mixed up with a bad element, I slowly crawled away from the cover of the

bushes. Sharp twigs and rough rocks hit my elbow and knees. I grimaced. It was painful, yes, but not

as painful as the throbbing of my head.

I looked pitiful, I was aware of it, but better this than ending up like those women.

Then, black boots materialized in my line of sight. My heart leaped. My eyes bulged. I felt a deadly chill

ran down my back.

I realized then and there I was done for…